Disinfecting Methods and Apparatus

ABSTRACT

According to one implementation an apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible body that contains therein at least one radially emitting optical fibers that is configured to emit bacterial disinfecting light. The radially emitting fibers having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement within a channel in which it is housed inside the flexible body such that when the flexible body changes shape the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reduces the amount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radially as compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to devices having disinfectingcapabilities and to methods for disinfecting any of a host of devices orsurfaces including, for example, devices used in the medical treatmentof patients.

BACKGROUND

Unwanted and dangerous bacteria growth can occur on or in devices thatare commonly used to treat patients. These devices may include trachealintubation devices that are susceptible to bacteria growth at theintubation tube and ventilator tubing set connection location, andexternally on the external surface of the intubation tube, bite blockand ventilator tube holder. Hospital acquired infections account for asubstantial yearly expense to hospitals and insurance companies, and area major cause of extending hospital stays for patients.

Unwanted and dangerous bacteria growth can occur on or in devicesoutside the medical field. Examples of non-medical devices includeequipment or components of water processing plants, food processingplants, dairies, livestock habitation facilities, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to some implementations disclosed herein are devices andassemblies associated with intubation tubes wherein at least some of thecomponents of the assemblies possess optical fibers adapted to deliverbacterial disinfecting light for the purpose of disinfecting saidcomponents and areas in close proximity thereto.

According to some implementations the assemblies include a bite blockthrough which the intubation tube is configured to pass when in use.According to some implementations the bite block has embedded thereinone or more radially emitting fibers that are each connectable to abacterial disinfecting light source, such as a laser. The light may beany wavelength of light that is capable of killing bacteria, such as,for example, ultra violet (UV) light and blue light.

According to some implementations the assemblies include a lip guardthrough which a bite block passes. The inner face of the lip guard isconfigured to face the mouth region of the patient. According to someimplementations the lip guard has embedded therein one or more radiallyemitting fibers that are connectable to a bacterial disinfecting lightsource.

According to some implementations the proximal end of the intubationtube is provided with a male connector that is coupled to a femaleconnector associated with a ventilator tube set. Bacterial growth inareas of stagnation within and around the connectors can occur. For thisreason, according to some implementations one or both of the male andfemale connectors have embedded therein one or more optical fibers thatare configured to direct bacterial disinfecting light internal to theconnectors. According to some implementations the one or more opticalfibers are radially emitting fibers, whereas according to otherimplementations the one or more optical fibers are side firing opticalfibers and/or end emitting fibers.

According to some implementations, internal disinfection of the male andfemale connectors is accomplished through the use of a collar havingembedded therein one or more optical fibers that fully, or at leastpartially, surround said connectors. According to some implementationsthe one or more optical fibers are radially emitting fibers, whereasaccording to other implementations the one or more optical fibers areside firing optical fibers and/or end emitting fibers.

The light emitted by the various optical fibers disclosed herein may beany wavelength of light that is capable of killing bacteria, such as,for example, ultra violet (UV) light and blue light. An advantage ofusing light to kill bacteria is that it is not susceptible to the dangerof antimicrobial resistance that can occur with the use of pharmacologicor chemical agents. Another advantage is that there are severe sideeffects associated with many pharmacologic or chemical agents areavoided.

It is important to note that although the forthcoming disclosure isdirected primarily to tracheal intubation devices, it is in no waylimited to such devices. For example, the apparatus and methodsdisclosed herein related to killing bacteria with light are applicableto other types of medical devices and non-medical devices. The use ofembedded optical fibers in connectors and/or collars that surround themcan also be applied to other medical and non-medical devices in whichconnectors are used. Examples of non-medical devices include equipmentor components of water processing plants, food processing plants,dairies, livestock habitation facilities, etc.

According to some implementations a flexible bacterial disinfectingapparatus is provided that is configured to bacterially disinfectsurfaces of different shapes, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible body capable of assuming different shapes, the flexible bodybeing made of a material that is transparent to light and having formedtherein a channel/recess;

a radially emitting fiber having a length and being disposed in thechannel/recess, the radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axisand configured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light, at least aportion of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radialfreedom of movement inside the channel/recess when the flexible bodychanges shape, the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing theamount of tensile stress applied along the length of the radiallyemitting fiber when the flexible body transitions between the planar andnon-planar states as compared to an amount of tensile stress that wouldotherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of theaxial and/or radial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiberinside the channel/recess.

According to some implementations a method of making an apparatus forbacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises:

obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back facewith there being a channel/recess formed in the front face;

applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that isconfigured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of thebody;

inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel/recess to form asubassembly that includes the light transparent body, the lightreflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radiallyemitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfectinglight; and

injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front faceof the light transparent body.

According to some implementations a method for making an apparatus forbacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises:

obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back facewith there being a channel/recess formed in the front face;

applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that isconfigured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of thebody, the light reflecting element having a back face and a front facethat faces the back face of the body;

inserting a radially emitting fiber that is configured to radially emitbacterial disinfecting light into the channel/recess;

applying an optical diffuser element over the front face of the body andthe radially emitting fiber to form a subassembly that includes thelight transparent body, the light reflecting element, the radiallyemitting fiber and the optical diffuser element.

injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front faceof the optical diffuser.

According to some implementations a method for making an apparatus forbacterially disinfecting a surface is provided that comprises:

obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back facewith there being a channel/recess formed in the front face;

applying to the back face of the light transparent body a lightreflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a directiontoward the front face of the light transparent body, the lightreflecting element having a back face and a front face that faces theback face of the light transparent body;

inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel/recess to form afirst subassembly that includes the light transparent body, the lightreflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radiallyemitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfectinglight;

injection molding a light transparent first liner over the firstsubassembly, the first liner including a first portion that lies overthe front face of the light transparent body and a second portion thatlies over the back face of the light reflecting element,

applying an optical diffuser element over the first portion of the firstliner to form a second subassembly that includes the light transparentbody, the light reflecting element, the radially emitting fiber, thefirst liner and the optical diffuser; and

injection molding a light transparent second liner over the secondsubassembly.

According to some implementations an apparatus for bacteriallydisinfecting a surface is provided that comprises:

a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outerface and a through opening, the through opening extending along thelength of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of amaterial that is transparent to light and having formed in the outerface a channel/recess;

a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed inthe channel/recess of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiberhaving a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfectinglight along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, theradially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward thethrough opening and an outer side that faces away from the throughopening; and

a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-likesurface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the lightreflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfectinglight emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

According to some implementations an apparatus for bacteriallydisinfecting a surface is provided that comprises:

a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outerface and a through opening, the through opening extending along thelength of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of amaterial that is transparent to light and having formed in the outerface a channel/recess;

a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed inthe channel/recess of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiberhaving a length and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfectinglight along a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, theradially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward thethrough opening and an outer side that faces away from the throughopening; and

a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-likesurface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the lightreflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfectinglight emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

These and other advantages and features will become evident in view ofthe drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B respectively show a side view and cross-section view ofa radially emitting optical fiber according to one implementation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end emitting optical fiber accordingto one implementations.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an endotracheal tube assembly.

FIG. 3B illustrates the endotracheal tube assembly of FIG. 3A having alight disinfecting element disposed about a connector that connects aventilator tube set to an intubation tube.

FIG. 3C is an exploded perspective view of the endotracheal tubeassembly shown in FIG. 3B.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show perspective views of an endotracheal tube supportassembly according to one implementation.

FIG. 5A shows an exploded perspective view of an endotracheal tubesupport assembly according to one implementation.

FIG. 5B shows an assembled perspective view of the endotracheal tubesupport assembly shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according toone implementation.

FIG. 6B shows an assembled front perspective view of the lip guard shownin FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A shows a top view of a lip guard substrate having formed thereina recess of uniform cross-section.

FIG. 7B shows a top view of a lip guard substrate having formed thereina recess of varying cross-section.

FIGS. 8A-D show cross-sectional views of a recesses formed in asubstrate of a lip guard, the recesses being configured to house atleast partially encompass a radially emitting fiber.

FIGS. 9A-C show top views of lip guard substrates having housed inrecesses formed therein a radially emitting fiber.

FIGS. 10A-D show cross-sectional views of lip guards according tovarious implementations.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according toanother implementation.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show cross-sectional views of the lip guard of FIG. 11assembled according to some implementations.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according to yetanother implementation.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the lip guard of FIG. 13 assembledaccording to one implementation.

FIG. 15A is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard according toanother implementation.

FIG. 15B shows in detail some of the clip connectors of the lip guard ofFIG. 15A.

FIG. 15C shows the radially emitting fiber of FIG. 15A attached to theflexible substrate by use of the clip connectors.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of an assembled light disinfecting collaraccording to one implementation.

FIG. 16B is an exploded perspective view of the light disinfectingcollar of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of an inner member of the lightdisinfecting collar shown in FIG. 16A.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a light disinfecting collar accordingto another implementation.

FIG. 18B is an exploded perspective view of the light disinfectingcollar of FIG. 18A.

FIGS. 19A-C show various perspective views of a first part of the lightdisinfecting collar of FIG. 18B.

FIG. 20A is a partial cross-sectional top view of the first part shownin FIG. 19B with a side firing fiber located inside an air filledcavity.

FIG. 20B shows the side firing fiber of FIG. 20A emitting a bacterialdisinfecting light beam inward toward the through opening of the firstpart of the light disinfecting collar.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional top view of the first part shown in FIG.19B with each of the optical fibers emitting a light beam inward towardthe central through opening of the first part of the light disinfectingcollar.

FIG. 22 shows the second part of the light disinfecting collar of FIG.18B

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of the light disinfecting collar ofFIG. 18A disposed about a portion of a connector that connects an end ofthe connector to the proximal end of an intubation tube.

FIG. 24A is a perspective view of an assembled bite block according toone implementation.

FIG. 24B is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toone implementation.

FIG. 24C is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation.

FIG. 24D is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation.

FIG. 24E is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation.

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled bite block of FIG.24C.

FIG. 26A is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation.

FIG. 26B is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation.

FIG. 26C is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation.

FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled bite block of FIG.26A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a schematic side view of a radially emitting fiber with aplurality of voids in the core of the radially emitting optical fiber 12having a central axis 16. FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-section of aradially emitting optical fiber 12 as viewed along the direction 1B-1Bin FIG. 1A. Radially emitting fiber 12 can be, for example, an opticalfiber with a nano-structured fiber region having periodic ornon-periodic nano-sized structures 32 (for example voids). In an exampleimplementation, fiber 12 includes a core 20 divided into three sectionsor regions. These core regions are: a solid central portion 22, anano-structured ring portion (inner annular core region) 26, and outer,solid portion 28 surrounding the inner annular core region 26. Acladding region 40 surrounds the annular core 20 and has an outersurface. The cladding 40 may have low refractive index to provide a highnumerical aperture. The cladding 40 can be, for example, a low indexpolymer such as UV or thermally curable fluoroacrylate or silicone.

An optional coating 44 surrounds the cladding 40. Coating 44 may includea low modulus primary coating layer and a high modulus secondary coatinglayer. In at least some implementations, coating layer 44 comprises apolymer coating such as an acrylate-based or silicone based polymer. Inat least some implementations, the coating has a constant diameter alongthe length of the fiber.

In other exemplary implementations, coating 44 is designed to enhancethe distribution and/or the nature of radiated light that passes fromcore 20 through cladding 40. The outer surface of the cladding 40 or theof the outer of optional coating 44 represents the sides 48 of fiber 12through which light traveling in the fiber is made to exit viascattering, as described herein.

A protective jacket (not shown) optionally covers the cladding 40.

In some implementations, the core region 26 of radially emitting fiber12 comprises a glass matrix 31 with a plurality of non-periodicallydisposed nano-sized structures (e.g., voids) 32 situated therein, suchas the example voids shown in detail in the magnified inset of FIG. 1B.In another example implementation, voids 32 may be periodicallydisposed, such as in a photonic crystal optical fiber, wherein the voidsmay have diameters between about 1×10-6 m and 1×10-5 m. Voids 32 mayalso be non-periodically or randomly disposed. In some exemplaryimplementations, glass 31 in region 26 is fluorine-doped silica, whilein other implementations the glass may be an undoped pure silica.

The nano-sized structures 32 scatter the light away from the core 20 andtoward the outer surface of the fiber. The scattered light is thendiffused through the outer surface of the fiber 12 to provide thedesired illumination. That is, most of the light is diffused (viascattering) through the sides of the fiber 12 and along the fiber lengthwithout the need to remove any portion of the cladding 40.

According to some implementations the nano-sized structures 32 areformed in the cladding 40 of the fiber in lieu of or in conjunction withproviding nano-sized structures in the core 12.

According to some implementations the core 20 has a diameter in therange of 125-300 μm and the overall diameter of the fiber system,including the protective jacket, is in the range of 700 to 1200 μm.According to some implementation, the outer diameter of the fiber 12without a jacket is in the range of 200-350 μm.

A detailed description of exemplary radially emitting optical fibers maybe found in Reissue U.S. Pat. No. RE46,098 whose content is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

An example of a radially emitting optical fiber is the Fibrance® LightDiffusing Fiber manufactured by Corning® Incorporated located inCorning, N.Y. The Fibrance® Light Diffusing Fiber has many of theattributes of the radially emitting fiber 12 described above. Anadvantage of the Fibrance® Light Diffusing Fiber is that it emits lightessentially along its entire length and has a small functional bendradius of around 5 millimeters which allows it be easily bent to assumea host of shapes. Breakage of the fiber typically occurs when it is bentto a bend radius of less than about 2 millimeters.

Radially emitting fibers like those disclosed in Reissue U.S. Pat. No.RE46,908 do not require the removal of a light reflective component orlight reflective element to enable the emission of light radially fromthe optical fiber.

An end emitting optical fiber is an optical fiber that emits light froma terminal end of the fiber. Such emitted light is referred to herein as“end emitted light”. A multimode optical fiber 50, like that shown inFIG. 2, is one example of an end emitting optical fiber wherein light isguided down the center of the fiber through the core 51 and out the endthereof. The fiber 50 includes a core 51 surrounded by a cladding 52.The cladding 52 has a lower index of refraction than the core 51 andtraps the light in the core using an optical technique called “totalinternal reflection.” The fiber 50 itself may include a coated “buffer”to protect the fiber from moisture and physical damage. The core 51 andcladding 52 are usually made of ultra-pure glass, although some fibersare all plastic or a glass core and plastic cladding. According to someimplementations the core 51 has a diameter in the range of 50-250 μm andthe diameter of the cladding 52 is typically around 100-500 μm. Theoverall diameter of the fiber system, including the buffer coating 53,is typically around 150-750 μm. Breakage of the fiber typically occurswhen it is bent to a bend radius of less than about 2 millimeters.

A “transport fiber” as used herein, refers to an optical fiber thattransports light longitudinally through its core to an end of the fiberwith little loss. That is, the vast majority (e.g., >90%) of the lightfed into a proximal end of the transport fiber is delivered to theterminal end of the fiber. As explained in more detail below, transportfibers are used in a variety of the implementations disclosed andcontemplated herein to couple a light source (e.g., a laser) to aradially emitting optical fiber and/or end emitting fiber. According tosome implementations, the transport fibers disclosed herein aremultimode optical fibers.

It is important to note that a radially emitting optical fiber, like theexamples discussed above, may also emit light from the core 20 at aterminal end of the radially emitting optical fiber 12. Thus, accordingto some implementations a disinfecting of a device may occur as a resultof bacterial disinfecting light being emitted from both thecircumference and the end of a radially emitting fiber. An optical fiberdesignated for this use is referred to herein as a “dual emittingfiber”.

Blue light and ultra-violet light have been shown to kill or curtail thegrowth of certain types of unwanted bacteria that is hazardous andpotentially fatal to mammalian life. Examples of such bacteria areStaphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Leuconostocmesenteroides, Bacillus atrophaeus, Escherichia coli, Coagulase-negativestaphylococci etc. In treatments involving a mammal, blue light ispreferred over ultra-violet light due to detrimental effects ofultra-violet light on mammalian cells and possible damage to hosttissue. In accordance with some implementations disclosed herein bluelight at a wavelength of between 400-495 nm and an exposure of between100-1,000 Joules/cm′ is employed to kill the unwanted bacteria.According to other implementations, ultra-violet light at a wavelengthof 10-400 nm and exposure up to 6 J/cm² is employed to kill unwantedbacteria.

It is important to note that the present disclosure is in no way limitedto the use of blue light and ultra-violet light to kill unwantedbacteria. As briefly explained above, the present disclosurecontemplates the use of any type of light that is susceptible to killingunwanted bacteria.

FIGS. 3A-C depict perspective views of an endotracheal tube assembly(ETA) 100 according to one implementation. The ETA includes anintubation tube 101 that is connected to a ventilator tube set 102 via aconnector 103. The intubation tube has a proximal end portion 101 a forconnection to the connector 103 and a distal end portion 101 b that isconfigured for placement in the trachea of a patient. According to oneimplementation, the connector 103 is L-shaped and includes first andsecond ends 103 a and 103 b, each in the form of a female part. In suchan implementation, an end 102 a of the ventilator tube set 102 residesinside the first end 103 a of the connector and the proximal end portionof 101 a of the intubation tube 100 resides inside the second end 103 bof the connector 103 b. It is appreciated that any of a variety ofconnection schemes may be employed to facilitate a fluid/air connectionof the proximal end of the intubation tube 101 to the ventilator tubeset 102.

According to one aspect, one or more light disinfecting features areintegrated in the connector 103 or are disposed about the connector 103to effectuate a disinfecting of one or both of the connection locationsof the intubation tube 101 with the connector 103 and the ventilatortube set 102 with the connector 103. According to one implementation, asshown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the light disinfecting feature includes alight disinfecting collar 111 disposed about an area of the connector103 where the proximal end portion 101 a of the intubation tube 101 isconnected to the second end 103 b of the connector. The lightdisinfecting collar 111 includes one or more lighting features disposedtherein that are configured to deliver bacterial disinfecting lightinward toward the connection location of the proximal end of theintubation tube 101 with the connector 103. According to oneimplementation bacterial disinfecting light is delivered to the lightdisinfecting collar 111 from a light source via an optical fiber set 112that includes one or more optical fibers located inside a jacket 112 aand connected to an optical connector 112 b. According to oneimplementation the optical connector 112 b is an MPO connector that isconfigured for attachment to a laser light source. Other types ofconnectors, such as LC connectors, may also be used. As noted above,according to some implementations the one or more light disinfectingfeatures may alternatively be disposed on or in the connector 103 itselfobviating the need for a separate collar. That is, one or more lightfeatures, such as radially emitting fibers, end emitting fibers and sidefiring fibers may be disposed about an outer surface of the connecter103 (e.g. about one or both of the first and second end parts 103 a and103 b) and/or integrated/embedded inside the connector 103.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show perspective views of the ETA 100 of FIG. 3B coupledwith an endotracheal tube support assembly 120 according to oneimplementation. In the example shown, the support assembly 120 includesan adjustable headband 121 configured for placement about the head of apatient. According to some implementations face pads 122 are secured tothe headband 121 to assist in stabilizing the support assembly on thepatient. The support assembly 120 also includes a bite block 123 throughwhich a proximal portion of the intubation tube 101 passes and issupported. According to some implementations a lip guard 124 is alsoprovided to protect and disinfect the mouth region of the patient duringintubation. As will be discussed in more detail below, one or both ofthe bite block 123 and lip guard 124 may be equipped with one or morebacterial disinfecting light features that are disposed on and/orintegrated therein for the purpose of impeding bacterial growth on thedevices during intubation. According to one implementation when both thebite block 123 and lip guard 124 are equipped with disinfecting lightfeatures, a dual optical fiber set 126 having a duplex LC connector 126a may be used to connect the respective disinfecting light elements to abacterial disinfecting light source.

According to one implementation, a tube holder 125 configured to supportthe bite block 123 is attached to the headband 121. According to oneimplementation the tube holder 125 includes a frame 125 a attached toand slideable on the headband 121 and an adjustable flexible band 125 bcoupled with the frame 125 a. In use, the bite block 123 is passedthrough the flexible band 125 b with the flexible band being tightenedabout the outer surface of the bite block. The flexible band 125 b maythereafter be loosened to facilitate a removal of the bite block 123from the tube holder 125.

FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively show an exploded perspective view and aperspective view of the endotracheal tube support assembly 120 accordingto one implementation.

As discussed above, according to some implementations the lip guard 124is equipped with one or more light disinfecting features (e.g. one ormore radially emitting fibers) that are configured to emit light tobacterially disinfect the mouth region of a patient during anintubation. FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded perspective view of a lipguard according to one implementation. The lip guard 124 is comprised ofa radially emitting fiber 127 sandwiched between a flexible substrate128 and a liner 129. The radially emitting fiber 127 is connected to atransport fiber 130 that is coupleable to a bacterial disinfecting lightsource. The flexible substrate 128 has a front face 128 a and a backface 128 b. Likewise, the liner 129 has a front face 129 a and a backface 129 b. According to some implementations the flexible substrate 128is made of a polymer (e.g. rubber) or a flexible sheet of metal. Theliner 129 is also composed of a flexible material and is transparent tolight at least in the visible spectrum. The lip guard includes anopening 144 to accommodate a passage of a bite block that is discussedin more detail below. According to other implementations one or both ofthe substrate 128 and liner 129 are not flexible.

The parts of the lip guard 124 may be made and assembled in a variety ofways. According to one implementation the front face 128 a of theflexible substrate 128 and the back face 129 b of the liner 129 areadhesively attached to one another with each pressing against ameandering radially emitting fiber 127 disposed between them. Accordingto some implementations, recesses 128 c are formed in the inner face 128a of the flexible substrate 128 for housing the radially emitting fiber27. FIG. 8A shows a U-shaped recess 128 c that is configured to receiveand house a radially emitting fiber 127. According to someimplementations the recesses 128 c are structured to hold the meanderingradially emitting fiber 127 to the flexible substrate 128 prior to anattachment of the liner 129 to the flexible substrate 128. An example ofsuch recesses is discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 8B and 8C.According to other implementations the radially emitting fiber 127 issecured to the flexible substrate 128 by the use of an opticallytransparent adhesive prior to the liner 129 being attached to theflexible substrate 128. According to one such implementations, theradially emitting fiber 127 is adhered to the front face 128 a in ameandering pattern without the use of recesses formed in the front faceto house the fiber. According to another such implementation, theflexible substrate 128 is provided with a meandering recess 128 c, likefor example the U-shaped recess shown in FIG. 8A, with the radiallyemitting fiber being adhered to the flexible substrate inside therecess.

According to some implementations an injection molding process is usedto form the flexible substrate 128 in a manner that produces recesses128 c arranged in a meandering pattern in the front face 128 a of theflexible substrate. Upon the flexible substrate 128 being formed asshown in FIG. 6A, the radially emitting fiber 127 is positioned withinthe recesses 128 c to form a subassembly. Thereafter, the liner 129 isinjection molded over portions of or the entirety of the subassemblysuch that the flexible substrate 128 containing the radially emittingfiber 127 is partially or fully enveloped by the liner 129 like thatshown in the examples of FIGS. 10A-10C. As noted above, the liner 129comprises a material, such as a polymer, that is transparent to light atleast in the visible spectrum. According to some implementations, thematerial from which the flexible substrate 128 is made is alsotransparent to light at least in the visible spectrum.

As noted above, according to some implementations the recesses 128 c inthe flexible substrate 128 are structured to hold the radially emittingfiber 127 to the flexible substrate 128 without the need of an adhesive.FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the flexiblesubstrate 128 that shows a configuration of a recess 128 c that iscapable by itself to hold the radially emitting fiber 127 inside thefront face 128 a of the flexible substrate 128 prior to the liner 129being formed over the substrate 128. In the implementation of FIG. 8B,the recess 128 c comprises a semi-circular wall 145 that spans greaterthan 180 degrees and less than 360 degrees so that the recess opening167 at the inner face 128 a has a width W that is smaller than thediameter of the radially emitting fiber 127. As shown in FIG. 8B, such aconstruction results in the formation of flexible lips 131 located onboth sides of the opening.

According to some implementations the flexible substrate 128 is formedof a material that enables the lip portions 131 of the wall that formthe recesses 128 c to flex inward sufficiently to allow passage of theradially emitting fiber 127 into the recess when a force is appliedalong a length of the fiber. The recess 128 c is configured such thatupon the radially emitting fiber 127 being positioned inside the recess,the lips 131 flex outward as shown in FIG. 10B to lock the fiber insidethe recess without the need of an adhesive or other fixation means.According to such an implementation the radially emitting fiber 127 cantherefore be considered to be snapped into the recess 128 c. Accordingto some implementations the height dimension H of the recess 128 c isless than or equal to the diameter of the radially emitting fiber 127.According to such an implementation the flexible substrate 128 ispreferably made of a material that is transparent to the bacterialdisinfecting light emitted by the radially emitting fiber 127 so thatthe disinfecting light may pass through the lip regions 131. Accordingto one implementation the diameter D of the circular portion of therecess 128 c and the depth A of the recess are each sufficiently greaterthan the diameter of the radially emitting fiber 127 to enable an axialfreedom of movement of the fiber inside the recess to enable it to bethreaded through the recess by a pushing or pulling of the fiber throughthe recess. According to implementations wherein the radially emittingfiber 127 is threaded into the meandering recess 128 c, the recessopening 167 at the inner face 128 a of the substrate 128 providesvisualization and access to the fiber to facilitate an easy and properplacement of the fiber along the length of the recess.

It is important to note that the cross-sectional shape of the recess 128c need not be semi-circular. For example, as shown in FIG. 8C the recessmay comprise an inner cavity 147 having a rectangular shape that has awidth W1 and depth A that are each equal to or greater than the diameterdimension of the radially emitting fiber 127. A through opening 149extends from the front face 128 a of the substrate 128 into the cavity147 and is delimited by the side walls of lips 148 that are configuredto hold the radially emitting fiber 127 inside the cavity 147. Theopening 149 has a width W2 dimension that is less than the diameterdimension of the radially emitting fiber 127. As with the lips 131 ofthe implementation of FIG. 8B, the lips 148 may be endowed with theability to flex inward and then outward to facilitate a side loading ofthe radially emitting fiber 127 into the cavity 147.

According to some implementations the radially emitting fiber 127 andthe recesses 128 c are arranged in a meandering pattern in a manner thatprotects the radially emitting fiber from being overstressed to thepoint of breaking when the lip guard is flexed. According to someimplementations, the flexible substrate 128 and/or liner 129 issufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of the lip guard 124 beyond anamount that would result in a breakage of the radially emitting fiber127.

As shown in FIG. 8D, according to some implementations the substrate 128comprises an internal channel 162 that is configured to receive andhouse the radially emitting fiber 127. According to one implementation,the diameter D of the channel 162 is sufficiently greater than thediameter of the radially emitting fiber 127 such that the fiberpossesses axial and/or radially freedom of movement inside the channel.By being fully surrounded by the walls of the channel 162, freedom ofmovement of the radially emitting fiber 127 is not affected when theliner 129 is injection molded over the substrate 128. The freedom ofmovement of the radially emitting fiber 127 protects against itsbreakage when the lip guard is flexed or otherwise bent during use.

In use, the lip guard may periodically be manipulated by a clinician.This manipulation can result in a bending of the lip guard and of theradially emitting fiber 127 disposed therein. This bending may inducebending and tensile stresses in the optical fiber particularly when theradially emitting fiber 127 is fixed inside the lip guard 124 withoutaxial and/or radial freedom of movement. According to someimplementations the lip guard 124 is constructed to limit or prevent abending of the radially emitting fiber 127 beyond a minimum bendingradius of the radially emitting fiber 127. The minimum bending radiusmay be that established by a manufacturer of the fiber 127. The minimumbending radius may be associated with a function limit or a breakinglimit of the optical fiber. A functional minimum bending radius may bespecified by the manufacturer of the optical fiber to denote a bendingradius of the optical fiber beyond which the optical fiber is unable toproperly function. A breakage minimum bending radius may be specified bythe manufacturer of the optical fiber to denote a bending radius beyondwhich a breaking of the core and/or cladding occurs. Alternatively, thefunctional minimum bending radius may simply be considered to be anactual bending radius of the radially emitting fiber 127 beyond whichthe optical fiber is unable to properly function and the breakageminimum bending radius may be considered the actual bending radius ofthe radially emitting fiber 127 beyond which a breaking of the coreand/or cladding occurs. The term “minimum bending radius” as used hereinrefers to any one of the aforestated definitions. In conjunction with orindependent from the material selection, the thickness and geometry ofthe various components of the lip guard 124 may be selected to achieve,or assist in achieving a rigidity of the lip guard sufficient to inhibita bending of the radially emitting fiber 127 beyond its minimum bendingradius.

According to some implementations the lip guard 124 is 1) constructed sothat the radially emitting fiber 127 is able to slide within therecesses 128 c or channels 162, and/or 2) constructed to limit orprevent the radially emitting fiber 127 from bending beyond its minimumbending radius.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, according to some implementations therecesses 128 formed in the inner face 128 a of the substrate 128 includeboth straight sections 165 and bend sections 166. As shown in FIG. 7A,according to some implementations the width dimension W1 of the straightsections 165 and the width dimension W2 of the bend sections are thesame, or substantially the same. As shown in FIG. 7B, according to someimplementations the widest width dimension W1 of the straight sections165 is less than the width dimension W2 of the bend sections. Accordingto some implementations the recesses 128 c in the straight sections 165differ from those on the bend sections 166. For example, according toone implementation the recesses in the straight sections have aconfiguration like that of FIG. 8B or FIG. 8C while the recesses of thebend sections 166 have a configuration like that of FIG. 8A.

FIGS. 9A-C show implementations of lip guard subassemblies comprising aradially emitting fiber 127 positioned within a meandering recess 128 cformed in the inner face 128 a of the substrate 128. In theimplementation of FIG. 9A, the radially emitting fiber 127 occupies theentirety, or substantially the entirety, of a recess 128 with the recesshaving substantially the same width along its length. According to someimplementations the wall(s) of the recess and/or the outer surface ofthe radially emitting fiber 127 is provided with a lubricous coatingthat enables the fiber to slide within the recess. To facilitate such asliding, the distal end 127 b of the fiber 127 is positioned a distal“d” away from the distal end 168 of the recess. In the implementation ofFIG. 9B the radially emitting fiber 127 occupies less than the entiretyof the recess 128 with the recess having substantially the same widthalong its length. According to the implementation of FIG. 9B, theradially emitting fiber 127 has at least an axial freedom of movementthat allows a sliding of the fiber inside the recess when the lip guardis flexed. To facilitate such a sliding, the distal end 127 b of thefiber 127 is positioned a distal “d” away from the distal end 168 of therecess. In the implementation of FIG. 9C the bend sections 166 of therecess have a width W2 that is greater than the width W1 of the straightsections of the recess. As shown in FIG. 9C, according to oneimplementation the diameter of the radially emitting fiber 127 is lessthan the width W2 and is substantially equal to the width W1. Moreover,the portions of the radially emitting fiber located inside the bendsections 166 of the recess 128 are provided with slack. That is, theportions of the radially emitting fiber located inside the bends 166 arenot held taut inside the bends. Because flexing of the substrate 128will generally occur in the directions F shown in FIG. 9C, a bending ofthe radially emitting fiber 127 will predominately occur in the bendregions of the fiber. The provision of slack in the fiber inside thebend regions 166 of the recess 128 safeguards against undue tensileand/or bending stresses being applied to the fiber when the lip guard isbent as a result of slack being taken up during the bending. In each ofthe implementations of FIGS. 9A-C a proximal end 127 a of the radiallyemitting fiber is connected to a distal end of a transport fiber 130inside a strain relief member 138. Thus, according to someimplementations the proximal end 127 a of the radially emitting fiber127 is fixed with respect to the flexible substrate 128 while the distalend 127 b of the fiber is free to move in the gap existing between itand the distal end 168 of the recess 128.

FIGS. 10A-D respectively show the flexible substrate configurations ofFIGS. 8A-D with the radially emitting fiber 127 residing in therespective recesses or channel and with the liner 129 formed over thefront face 128 a and back face 128 b of the flexible substrate 128.

According to some implementations all or a portion of the inner face 128a of the flexible substrate 128 is provided with a light reflectivecoating or film, the coating or film being configured to direct lightemitted by the radially emitting fiber 127 in a direction toward thefront face 129 a of the liner 129. A light reflective coating may be,for example, a light reflective paint interposed between the radiallyemitting fiber 127 and the flexible substrate 128. A light reflectivefilm may be, for example, in the form of a light reflective metallicfoil interposed between the radially emitting fiber 127 and the flexiblesubstrate 128. According to some implementations, only all or a portionof the inner wall of the recesses 128 c occupied by the radiallyemitting fiber 127 are provided with the light reflective coating orfilm.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard 124 according toanother implementation. The lip guard is similar in construction to thatdepicted in FIG. 6A and further includes a light reflector 134 abuttingor applied to the back face 128 b of the flexible substrate 128, and anoptical diffuser 135 interposed between the radially emitting fiber 127and the liner 129. According to another implementation the lip guard 124includes the light reflector 134 and not the optical diffuser 135.According to another implementation the lip guard 124 includes theoptical diffuser 135 and not the light reflector 134. In accordance withthe latter, all or a portion (e.g. inner wall of recesses 128 c) of thefront face 128 may be provided with a light reflective coating or lightreflective film as discussed above.

In the implementation of FIG. 11 the flexible substrate 128 is made of amaterial that is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum.This enables light emitted by the radially emitting fiber 127 to passthrough the back face 128 b of the substrate 128 to impinge upon thefront face 134 a of the light reflector 134. The parts of the lip guardmay be assembled by the use of adhesives and/or by injection moldingprocesses like discussed above. In implementations wherein the frontface 128 a of the flexible substrate 128 comprises recesses 128 c forhousing the radially emitting fiber 127, the recesses 128 c may take anyof a variety of forms include the examples discussed above inconjunction with FIGS. 8A-D.

According to one implementation the light reflector 134 comprises alight reflective coating such as a light reflective paint or otherreflective substance that is applied to the back face of the flexiblesubstrate 128. The light reflector 134 may also comprise a lightreflective foil, such as, for example, a metallic foil. The lightreflector 134 may also comprise a metal sheet having a light reflectiveinner face 134 a abutting the back face 128 b of the substrate 128.According to some implementations the light reflector 134 is selectivelyapplied to or shaped to cover or abut the back face 128 b of thesubstrate 128 only in the vicinity located behind the meanderingradially emitting fiber 127.

The lip guard of FIG. 11 may be assembled, for example, by the followingmethods. After a placement of the light reflector 134 (e.g. reflectivefoil, metal sheet, etc.) inside a mold, the material used to form theflexible substrate 128 is injection molded to envelope both the frontface 134 a and back face 134 b of the light reflector 134. During thisinjection molding step the recesses 128 c are also formed in the frontface 128 a of the flexible substrate 128. According to oneimplementation, the recesses 128 c are constructed as described above topermit the radially emitting fiber 127 to be snapped into the recesses.According to such an implementation, after the flexible substrate 128 isformed the radially emitting fiber 127 is secured to the flexiblesubstrate by being snapped into the recesses 128 c. According to theother implementations the radially emitting fiber 127 is adhesivelysecured to the front face 128 a of the substrate 128. According to suchimplementations the radially emitting fiber 127 may or may not beadhesively fixed inside a recess formed in the front face 128 a of thesubstrate 128 In any event, upon the radially emitting fiber 127 beingsecured to the flexible substrate 128, a subassembly comprising thelight reflector 134 enveloped in the flexible substrate 128 and theradially emitting fiber 127 secured to the front face 128 a of theflexible substrate is produced. In implementations that do notincorporate the optical diffuser 135, the material from which the liner129 is made is injection molded to envelop or substantially envelop theaforestated subassembly. In implementations that do incorporate theoptical diffuser 135, the back face 135 b of the optical diffuser ispositioned over the radially emitting fiber 127 and the material fromwhich the liner 129 is made is injection molded around the subassemblyand front face 135 a of the optical diffuser 135. An advantage of usingthe optical diffuser 135 is that it more uniformly distributes the lightemitted by the radially emitting fiber 127 into that part of the liner129 that is adapted to face the mouth area of the patient.

According to other implementations, the lip guard of FIG. 11 may beassembled by applying a light reflecting coating (e.g. light reflectingpaint) or a light reflecting film (e.g. a light reflecting foil) to theback face 128 b of the flexible substrate 128 after the formation of theflexible substrate. In implementations that do not incorporate theoptical diffuser 135, upon the radially emitting fiber 127 being securedto or within the front face 128 a, the subassembly including thesubstrate 128, light reflective coating or film and the radiallyemitting fiber 127 are placed in a mold and the material used to producethe liner 129 is injection molded to envelope or substantially envelopethe subassembly. In implementations that do incorporate an opticaldiffuser 135, the back face 135 b of the optical diffuser is positionedover the radially emitting fiber 127 and the material from which theliner 129 is made is injection molded over the subassembly and frontface 135 a of the optical diffuser 135.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional views of lip guard portionsaccording to some implementations. In the implementation of FIG. 12A, aU-shaped recess 128 c is formed in the front face 128 a of the flexiblesubstrate 128 and has disposed therein a radially emitting fiber 127.The radially emitting fiber 127 has a diameter that is less than thediameter of the U-shaped recess 128 c so that a space exists between theradially emitting fiber and the front face 128 a of the substrate whenthe fiber is assembled in the recess. After the radially emitting fiber127 is positioned in the recess 128 c, the light diffuser 135 ispositioned on the front face of the substrate 128 to form a closedhousing wherein the radially emitting fiber 127 is housed. Theconfiguration of the closed housing is such that the radially emittingfiber has freedom of movement in the axial direction of the fiber and/orin the radial direction of the fiber. In the implementation of FIG. 12Athe back face 128 b of the substrate 128 contains a light reflectivecoating or film 134 and the liner 129 covers both the front face 135 aof the light diffuser 135 and the back face of the reflective coating orfilm 135.

The implementation of FIG. 12B has a similar construction to that ofFIG. 12A with the exception that the recess 128 c formed in the frontface 128 a of the substrate 128 has a form consistent with that of FIG.8B. Like the implementation of FIG. 12A, the light diffuser 125 ispositioned on the front face 128 a of the substrate 128 so that a closedhousing wherein the radially emitting fiber 127 is housed. Theconfiguration of the closed housing is such that the radially emittingfiber has freedom of movement in the axial direction of the fiber and/orin the radial direction of the fiber. In the implementation of FIG. 12Bthe back face 128 b of the substrate 128 contains a light reflectivecoating or film 134 and the liner 129 covers both the front face 135 aof the light diffuser 135 and the back face of the reflective coating orfilm 135.

As explained above, providing a freedom of movement of the radiallyemitting fiber 127 inside the recess 128 prevents against breakage ofthe fiber when the lip guard is bent or otherwise deformed.

In regard to the implementations of FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B, it isimportant to note that the optical diffuser 135 may be substituted witha light transparent member that is not a light diffuser. In such animplementation the function of the light transparent member is to lieover the front face 128 a of the substrate 128 to cause a closing of therecess 128 c. The closing of the recess prevents the material that formsthe liner 129 from entering the recess wherein resides the radiallyemitting fiber 127. As such, a freedom of movement of the fiber insidethe recess is maintained after the injection molding of the liner.

In regard to each of the recesses disclosed or contemplated herein thathouse a radially emitting fiber, an index matching gel may be interposedbetween the radially emitting fiber and the inner wall of the recess tofacilitate a coupling of light from the fiber into the material fromwhich the lip guard is made. According to some implementations the indexmatching gel also allows the radially emitting fiber to more easilyslide within the recess in comparison to the fiber's ability to slide inthe recess absent the index matching gel. According to someimplementations the radially emitting fiber comprises a core that issurrounded by a cladding with the cladding having a first refractiveindex and the inner wall of the recess comprising a material having asecond refractive index, the index matching gel having a thirdrefractive index that is between the first refractive index and thesecond refractive index.

In implementations in which a light reflector 134 is utilized, thesubstrate 128 is endowed with a thickness that provides a separationdistance between the backside of the radially emitting fiber 127 and thefront face 134 a of the light reflector 134. According to oneimplementation the separation distance is between 1 to 5 times thediameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber. Maintaining such aseparation distance between the backside of the radially emitting fiber127 and the light reflector 134 results in a greater amount of lightemitted from the backside of the radially emitting fiber being reflectedin a forward direction toward the front face 129 a of the liner 129.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard 124 according toanother implementation. The lip guard of FIG. 13 is similar to theconstruction of the lip guard of FIG. 11 and also includes a flexibletubular member 160 configured to house the radially emitting fiber 127.The tubular member 160 is made of a flexible material that istransparent to light at least in the visible spectrum. The tubularmember 160 and the radially emitting fiber 127 are sized to permit axialand/or radial movement of the fiber inside the tubular member. To thisend, one or both of the length and inside diameter of the tubular member160 is respectively greater than the length and outer diameter of theradially emitting fiber 127. The implementation of FIG. 13 differs fromthe implementation of FIG. 11 in that the flexible tubular member 160itself resides inside the recesses 128 c of the substrate 128 with theradially emitting fiber 127 residing inside the tubular member. FIG. 14illustrates a lip guard cross-section similar to that of FIG. 12B.However, in the implementations of FIG. 14, the radially emitting fiber127 resides inside a tubular member 160 that is snap fit into the recess128 c. According to some implementations one or both of the inner wall160 a of the tubular member 160 and the outer wall of the radiallyemitting fiber 127 is provided with a light transparent lubriciouscoating to facilitate a sliding of the fiber inside the tubular member160. According to some implementations a gap between the outer surfaceof the radially emitting fiber 127 and the inner wall 160 a of thetubular member 160 is filled with an index matching gel that facilitatesa coupling of light between the fiber and the wall of the tubularmember. According to some implementations the index matching gel alsoallows the radially emitting fiber 127 to more easily slide within thelumen of the tubular member 160 in comparison to the fiber's ability toslide in the lumen absent the index matching gel. According to oneimplementation the radially emitting fiber comprises a core that issurrounded by a cladding with the cladding having a first refractiveindex and the tubular member 160 comprising a material having a secondrefractive index, the index matching gel having a third refractive indexthat is between the first refractive index and the second refractiveindex.

FIG. 15A is an exploded perspective view of a lip guard 124 according toanother implementation. The lip guard includes a flexible substrate 128in the form of a metal sheet that is fabricated to include protrudingclip connectors 136 extending outward from the front face 128 a of themetal sheet. Each of the clip connectors 136 is configured to receivetherein a portion of the radially emitting fiber 127. According to oneimplementation each of the clip connectors 136 comprises a tab 136 ahaving formed therein a slot 136 b. According to one implementation, theslot 136 b has a shape similar to that of the recesses 128 c discussedabove in conjunction with the description of FIG. 7A. That is, itcomprises a semi-circular cavity having an inner wall that spans greaterthan 180 degrees but less than 360 degrees such that a transverseopening 136 c of the slot has a width dimension that is less than thediameter of the semi-circular cavity. According to one implementationlips similar to the lips 137 of FIG. 7A are formed at the transverseopening 136 c that are capable of flexing inward and then outward toreceive and then retain the radially emitting fiber 127 inside the slot136. In lieu of or in conjunction with the aforestated lip flexingfeature, the walls 136 d and 136 e on each side of the slot 136 may bemade to flex outward in the direction M as shown in FIG. 15B upon theradially emitting fiber 127 being pressed into the transverse opening136 c. According to one implementation the tab 136 and the slot 137 areformed by one or more stamping procedures. According to one example theslots 137 are made by a first stamping step to form a plurality ofthrough holes that pass from the back face 128 b of the metal sheet tothe front face 128 a of the metal sheet. After the slots 137 are made inthe metal sheet, the tabs are cut via a second stamping operation andthen bent to protrude from the front face 128 a as most clearly shown inFIG. 15B.

As shown in FIG. 15C, according to some implementations the clipconnectors 136 are arranged to facilitate a meandering placement of theradially emitting fiber 127 on the metal sheet 128.

As with each of the lip guard assemblies disclosed and contemplatedherein, the radially emitting fiber 127 may be connectable to abacterial disinfecting light source via a transport fiber 130. Accordingto some implementations a strain relief member 138 is provided at oradjacent the juncture of the transport fiber 130 and the radiallyemitting fiber 127. As shown in FIG. 15B, the metal sheet 127 maypossess a strain relief support structure that includes an opening 140bound on two sides by tabs 141 having formed therein notches 142. Aswith the clip connectors 136, the tabs, opening and notches may beformed by one or more stamping procedures and thereafter bent toprotrude from the front face 128 of the metal sheet as shown in FIG. 9B.According to one implementation the distal end portion of the strainrelief 138 includes an annular part 138 a that is configured forplacement inside the notches 142 of the strain relief support structure.

After the radially emitting fiber 127 is attached to the metal sheet127, the liner 129 is injection molded over the radially emittingfiber/metal sheet subassembly to partially or totally envelop thesubassembly. As explained above, the liner 129 is made of a materialthat is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum.

In the foregoing disclosure the substrate 128 and liner 129 aredisclosed as being flexible such that when the lip guard 124 is fullyassembled it has a degree of flexibility to enable it to at leastpartially conform to different sizes and shapes of the mouth regions ofpatients. However, according to other implementations one or both of thesubstrate 128 and liner 129 may be composed of a rigid material.

With continued reference to FIGS. 15A-C, according to someimplementations the front face 128 a of the metal sheet 128 is lightreflective. According to other implementations all or portions of thefront face 128 a are provided with a light reflective coating or film.According to one implementation only portions of the front faceunderlying the radially emitting fiber 127 are provided with the lightreflective coating or film. According to one implementation the width ofthe light reflective coating or film is 1 to 10 times the diameter ofthe radially emitting fiber 127.

According to some implementations the tabs 136 are constructed such thatthe radially emitting fiber 127 is suspended above the front face 128 aof the metal sheet 128 when the radially emitting fiber is supported inthe slots 136 c. This advantageously spaces the backside of the radiallyemitting fiber 127 from the light reflective surface of the metal sheet128 or of the light reflective coating or film disposed on the frontface 128 of the metal sheet. As explained above, maintaining aseparation distance between the backside of the radially emitting fiber127 and the light reflective surface results in a greater amount oflight emitted from the backside of the radially emitting fiber beingreflected in a forward direction toward the front face 129 a of theliner 129. According to some implementations, the separation distance isbetween 1 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emittingfiber 127.

According to other implementations the radially emitting fiber 127 isnot attached to the clip connectors 136 but resides inside a flexibletubular member 160 like that discussed above in conjunction with FIGS.13 and 14. According to such implementations the tubular member 160 isitself attached to the clip connectors 136. An advantage of such aconstruction is that allows the radially emitting fiber 127 to besupported on the substrate 128 inside the tubular member with a freedomof movement in the axial direction and/or radial direction of the fiber.According to this latter implementation, the liner 129 is injectionmolded to envelop the substrate 128 and the tubular member 160 attachedthereto.

FIG. 16A shows a light disinfecting collar 111 adapted for disinfectingan area of connection between the proximal end portion 101 a of theintubation tube 101 and the connector 103 that connects the intubationtube to the ventilator tube set 102. FIG. 16B shows an explodedperspective view of the light disinfecting collar of FIG. 16A.

As explained above, according to one implementation bacterialdisinfecting light is delivered to the light disinfecting collar 111from a light source via an optical fiber set 112 that includes one ormore transport fibers 112 a connected to an MPO connector 112 b.According to one implementation the optical fiber tube set 112 includesa single transport fiber that is coupled at its distal end (the endopposite the connector 112 b) to a single radially emitting fiber. Theradially emitting fiber is supported on an inner member 111 a that mayor may not contain grooves that at least partially house the radiallyemitting fiber. According to one implementation the radially emittingfiber extends along the entire circumference of the inner member 111 ain a coil-like or meandering configuration. In the implementation ofFIG. 16B, the disinfecting light assembly 111 b includes four transportfibers (located inside a common jacket 194) to which four radiallyemitting fibers 191 a, 191 b, 191 c and 191 c are connected inside astrain relief member 192. In the implementation of FIG. 16B the innermember 111 a comprises four grooves 193 a, 193 b, 193 c and 193 d thatare configured to respectively receive radially emitting fibers 191 a,191 b, 191 c and 191 d. FIG. 17 shows an enlarged view of the innermember 111 a. According to the implementation of FIG. 16B, each of theradially emitting fibers extends along the entire circumference orsubstantially the entire circumference of the inner member 111 a.According to some implementations the inner member 111 a is formed witha protruding tray 197 having a recess 197 a that is configured tosupport the distal end of the strain relief 192. The protruding tray 197is also equipped with a set of four diverging channels 197 b thatprovide pathways for the four radially emitting fibers 191 a-d intotheir respective grooves 193 a-d. It is important to note that theassembly may include less than or more than four radially emittingfibers. The inner member 111 a includes a through opening 196 in whichthe proximal end portion 101 a of the intubation tube 101 and the distalend portion 103 b of connector 102 reside when the collar 111 isintegrated into the intubation tube system as shown in FIG. 3B.

According to one implementation, a light disinfecting collar subassemblyis made by assembling the disinfecting light assembly 111 b onto thedisinfecting collar 111 such that the distal end of the strain relief192 is supported in the recess 197 a and the radially emitting fibers191 a-d respectively reside in grooves 193 a-d. According to someimplementations the strain relief 192 and the radially emitting fibers191 a-d are retained on the inner member 111 a by use of an adhesive.The inner member 111 a is made of a material that is transparent tolight at least in the visual spectrum. The material may be, for example,polycarbonate.

The light disinfecting collar 111 may include an outer member 111 c thatis disposed about the aforementioned subassembly. According to oneimplementation the outer member 111 c is injection molded over thesubassembly so that the radially emitting fibers (or fiber) are encasedinside the collar 111 as shown in FIG. 16A. According to oneimplementation a light reflective material or element is interposedbetween the radially emitting fibers 191 a-d and the inside wall 199 ofthe outer member 111 c so that the light emitted by the radiallyemitting fibers is directed inward toward the through opening 196 of theinner member 111 a. According to one implementation the collar 111 isconstructed by covering the radially emitting fibers 191 a-d with alight reflecting member before the outer member 111 c is injectionmolded over the aforementioned subassembly. According to otherimplementations a light reflecting member or light reflecting coatingmay be provided on an outer surface of the outer member 111 c. Accordingto such an implementation, the outer member 111 c is made of a materialthat is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum.

FIG. 18A shows a light disinfecting collar 111 according to anotherimplementation wherein one or more side firing fibers and/or one or moreend emitting fibers are used to direct bacterial disinfecting light at aconnection location between an intubation tube 101 and an intubationtube set 102. In the following example one end emitting fiber 206 andfive side firing fibers 207 a-e are utilized. It is appreciated,however, that the disclosure is not limited to such a make-up and mayinclude any of a number of end emitting fibers and side firing fibers.FIG. 18B is an exploded perspective view of the light disinfectingcollar assembly of FIG. 18A.

In the context of the embodiment of FIGS. 18A and 18B, a side firingfiber is an optical fiber provided with an angled end face that isoriented to totally internally reflect a light beam out of the sidesurface of the fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axisthereof. Examples of side firing optical fibers are found in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,740,047 and 5,772,657.

According to one implementation bacterial disinfecting light isdelivered to the light disinfecting collar 111 from a light source viaan optical fiber set 201 that includes six optical fibers 206 and 207a-e whose proximal end portions are housed in a common jacket 201.According to one implementation the proximal ends of the six opticalfibers are optically coupled to a six port optical connector 201 b. Theoptical connector 201 b is in turn connectable to a bacterialdisinfecting light source, such as a laser. The collar assembly 111includes a first part 202 on which the fibers 206 and 207 a-e aresupported in a manner that results in light emitted by each of thefibers being directed inward toward a through opening 202 a locatedtherein like that shown in FIG. 21. According to one implementation eachof the end emitting fiber 206 and side firing fibers 207 a-e passthrough a strain relief member 205 at their entry point into the firstpart 202.

According to one implementation the first part 202 includes a base 210from which extends a multi-face structure 211. The multi-face structure211 includes six major internal faces 209 a-f and respective externalfaces 213 a-f. The internal faces 209 a-f and the external faces 213 a-fare separated by a respective wall 214 a-f that is made of a materialthat is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. Accordingto some implementations the thickness t of the walls 214 a-f is betweenabout 3 millimeters and about 6 millimeters According to oneimplementation the first part 202 is made of polycarbonate and formedvia injection molding. Each of the side firing fibers 207 a-e isrespectively housed inside an air filled cavity 208 a-e located adjacentexternal faces 213 a-e. Trenches 215 located in the base 210 of thefirst part 202 facilitate a passage of the side firing optical fibers207 a-e about the perimeter of the multi-face structure 211 and lead toinlet openings 217 to the air filled cavities 208 a-e as shown in FIG.19C.

FIG. 20A shows an enlarged view of the side firing fiber 207 e housed inthe air filled cavity 208 e. The side firing fiber 207 e has an angleddistal end 220 e that is oriented to totally internally reflect a lightbeam passing through the fiber inward toward the central through opening202 a of the first part 202 as shown in FIG. 20B. The light beam 221 epropagates through wall 214 e and refracts at the internal face 209 edue to the difference in the refractive indexes of the material thatforms the wall 214 e and of the air residing inside the through opening202 a. As noted above, according to some implementations the walls 214a-f are made of a plastic material such as polycarbonate.

The end emitting fiber 206 is structured and oriented in a manner thatresults in the fiber core at the distal end of the fiber being buttedagainst the external face 213 f. According to one implementation the endof the fiber is attached to the external face 213 f by use of an indexmatching adhesive that has a refractive index similar to that of thefiber core. According to such an implementation the distal end of theend emitting fiber may be spaced a short distance from the external face213 a with the gap separating the end of the fiber 206 and the externalface being occupied by the index matching adhesive. As shown in FIG. 21,the light beam 221 f emitted by the end emitting fiber 206 propagatesthrough wall 214 f and refracts at the internal face 209 f due to thedifference in the refractive indexes of the material that forms the wall214 f and of the air residing inside the through opening 202 a. FIG. 21also shows the light beams 221 a-e respectively associated with sidefiring fibers 207 a-e.

FIGS. 18B and 22 illustrate a second part 204 of the collar 111 shown inFIG. 18A. The second part 204 has a though opening 204 a that isconcentric to the through opening 202 a of the first part 202 when thefirst and second parts are assembled together. The second part 204includes a cavity 231 defined by wall portions 233 that mimic theexternal shape of the multi-face structure 211 of the first part 202.According to one implementation the collar 111 is assembled by fittingthe second part 204 over the first part 202 so that the multi-facestructure 211 of the first part fits inside the cavity 231 of the secondpart. According to such an implementation, an inner face 232 of thesecond part rest on the base 210 of the first part 201 and resides overthe trenches 215 through which the optical fibers 207 a-e pass.According to some implementations the first and second parts are fittedwith cooperating features that snap-fit the parts to one another in theassembled state. According to other implementations the second part isinjection molded over the multi-face structure 211 of the first part201. According to yet other implementations the first and second parts201 and 204 are attached together by use of an adhesive.

FIG. 23 shows the collar 11 of FIG. 18A fitted over at least a portionof the connector 103 that couples the intubation tube 101 to theventilator tube set 102.

FIG. 24A is a perspective view of a fully assembled self-disinfectingbite block 123 according to one implementation. FIG. 24A is an explodedperspective view of a first implementation of the bite block 123 of FIG.24A. The bite block in this first implementation includes an innermember 302, an outer member 304 and a meandering radially emitting fiber306. According to some implementations the inner and outer members 302and 304 are C-shaped as shown in FIG. 24B. According to otherimplementations the inner and outer members 302 and 304 comprise acylindrical shape. When assembled, the radially emitting fiber 306 isdisposed between the inner surface of the 304 a of the outer member 304and the outer surface 304 b of the inner member 302. According to someimplementations the inner member 302 includes a recess 302 c for housingat least a portion of the radially emitting fiber 306. Thecross-sectional profile of the recess 302 c may be similar inconstruction to any one of the recesses 128 c shown in FIGS. 8A-C. Inaddition, the length of the radially emitting fiber 306 may be shorterthan the length of the recess 302 c to facilitate an axial movement ofthe fiber in the event the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformedduring use by, for example, a biting down on the bite block 123 by thepatient.

With continued reference to FIG. 24B, according to one implementationthe bite block 123 is made by injection molding the inner member 302from a material that is transparent to light at least in the visualspectrum. In the injection molding process the recess 302 c is formedalong with a projecting platform 302 d. The projecting platform 302 dcomprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strain reliefmember 310 from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber306 projects. Upon the inner member 302 being formed, the radiallyemitting fiber 306 is fitted into the recess 302 c and may be heldtherein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above inconjunction with FIGS. 8B and 8C) or by use of an adhesive that istransparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When thesubassembly comprising the inner member 302 and radially emitting fiber306 is complete, the outer member 304 is injection molded over the innermember 302 to cover at least the outer surface 302 b of the inner memberand the radially emitting fiber 306. According to some implementationsthe outer member 304 is injection molded over the subassembly to envelopthe entirety of the inner member 302. According to such animplementation, the outer member 304 is produced to form a cap 304 cthat is formed over the projecting platform 302 d of the inner member302. In implementations where the outer member 304 covers the innersurface 302 a of the inner member 302, the outer member is made of amaterial that is transparent to light at least in the visible spectrum.In such implementations, a light reflecting member, such as, forexample, a light reflecting coating (e.g. light reflecting paint) orlight reflecting film (e.g. a light reflecting metallic foil) may bedisposed about the outer surface 304 b of the outer member 304 toreflect light emitted by the radially emitting fiber in the direction ofthe outer surface 304 b inward toward the axial through opening 312 ofthe bite block 123.

According to some implementations the outer member 304 is made of alight transparent material, at least in the visual spectrum, and nolight reflective member is disposed about the outer surface 304 b suchthat light emitted by the radially emitting fiber 306 is directed bothinward toward the axial opening 312 of the bite block 123 and outward ina direction toward the mouth of the patient in which the bite blockresides.

According to other implementations the light reflecting member ispositioned within the bite block assembly to direct light outward in adirection toward the mouth of the patient in which the bite blockresides.

Although not shown in the figures, the radially emitting fiber 306 to abacterial disinfecting light source, such as a laser.

FIG. 24C is an exploded view of a bite block 123 according to anotherimplementation. The bite block is similar in construction to that ofFIG. 24B and further includes a light reflecting member 307 interposedbetween the outer surface 302 b of the inner member 302 and the innersurface 304 a of the outer member 304. The bite block also includes anoptical diffuser 308 that abuts the inner surface 302 a of the innermember 302 and acts to more evenly distribute the light emitted by theradially emitting fiber into the axial through opening 312 of the biteblock.

With continued reference to FIG. 24C, according to one implementationthe bite block 123 is made by injection molding the inner member 302over the optical diffuser 308 from a material that is transparent tolight at least in the visual spectrum. In the injection molding processthe recess 302 c is formed along with a projecting platform 302 d. Theprojecting platform 302 d comprises features for receiving a distal endportion of a strain relief member 310 from which the proximal end of theradially emitting fiber 306 projects. Upon the inner member 302 beingformed, the radially emitting fiber 306 is fitted into the recess 302 cand may be held therein by the structure of the recess itself (asdescribed above in conjunction with FIGS. 8B and 8C) or by use of anadhesive that is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum.When a first subassembly comprising the inner member 302, opticaldiffuser 308 and radially emitting fiber 306 is complete, the firstsubassembly is placed into a mold along with the light reflecting member307, the light reflecting member 307 being disposed about the outersurface 302 b of the inner member 302 to lie over the radially emittingfiber 306. The mold therefore holds therein a second subassembly thatcomprises the first subassembly and the light reflecting member 307. Theouter member 304, which is made of a material transparent to light atleast in the visual spectrum, is then injection molded to envelopportions of or the entirety of the second subassembly. According to someimplementations, the outer member 304 is produced to form a cap 304 cthat is formed over the projecting platform 302 d of the inner member302.

According to some implementations the recess 302 a has a constructionsimilar to that of either FIG. 12A or 12B that results in the radiallyemitting fiber residing entirely inside the recess with a freedom ofmovement in both the radial direction and axial direction of the fiber.According to such an implementation, the light reflecting member 307 issufficiently rigid to lie over the opening of the recess 302 c (in alike manner to that of the optical diffuser 135 in FIGS. 12A and 12B) toprevent the material from which the outer member 304 is made fromentering the recess during the injection molding of the outer member. Asshown in FIG. 25, this construction results in an air gap 330 inside therecess 302 c. According to some implementations the length of theradially emitting fiber 306 is also shorter than the length of therecess 302 c to facilitate an axial movement of the fiber inside therecess when the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformed during use.

FIG. 25 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bite block 123 of FIG.24C in a fully assembled state.

FIG. 24D is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block ofFIG. 24C absent the optical diffuser 308. According to oneimplementation the bite block 123 is made by injection molding the innermember 302 from a material that is transparent to light at least in thevisual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess 302 c isformed along with a projecting platform 302 d. The projecting platform302 d comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strainrelief member 310 from which the proximal end of the radially emittingfiber 306 projects. Upon the inner member 302 being formed, the radiallyemitting fiber 306 is fitted into the recess 302 c and may be heldtherein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above inconjunction with FIGS. 8B and 8C) or by use of an adhesive that istransparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a firstsubassembly comprising the inner member 302 and radially emitting fiber306 is complete, the first subassembly is placed into a mold along withthe light reflecting member 307, the light reflecting member 307 beingdisposed about the outer surface 302 b of the inner member 302 to lieover the radially emitting fiber 306. The mold therefore holds therein asecond subassembly that comprises the first subassembly and the lightreflecting member 307. The outer member 304, which is made of a materialtransparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injectionmolded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the second subassembly.According to some implementations, the outer member 304 is produced toform a cap 304 c that is formed over the projecting platform 302 d ofthe inner member 302.

With continued reference to FIG. 24D, according to some implementationsthe recess 302 a has a construction similar to that of either FIG. 12Aor 12B that results in the radially emitting fiber residing entirelyinside the recess with a freedom of movement in both the radialdirection and axial direction of the fiber. According to such animplementation, the light reflecting member 307 is sufficiently rigid tolie over the opening of the recess 302 c (in a like manner to that ofthe optical diffuser 135 in FIGS. 12A and 12B) to prevent the materialfrom which the outer member 304 is made from entering the recess duringthe injection molding of the outer member. According to someimplementations the length of the radially emitting fiber 306 is alsoshorter than the length of the recess 302 c to facilitate an axialmovement of the fiber inside the recess when the bite block is flexed orotherwise deformed during use.

FIG. 24E is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block ofFIG. 24C absent the light reflecting member 307. According to oneimplementation the bite block 123 is made by injection molding the innermember 302 over the optical diffuser 308 from a material that istransparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In the injectionmolding process the recess 302 c is formed along with a projectingplatform 302 d. The projecting platform 302 d comprises features forreceiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member 310 from whichthe proximal end of the radially emitting fiber 306 projects. Upon theinner member 302 being formed, the radially emitting fiber 306 is fittedinto the recess 302 c and may be held therein by the structure of therecess itself (as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 8B and 8C)or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to light at least in thevisual spectrum. When a subassembly comprising the inner member 302,optical diffuser 308 and radially emitting fiber 306 is complete, thesubassembly is placed into a mold and the outer member 304, which ismade of a material transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum,is then injection molded to envelop portions of or the entirety of thesubassembly. According to some implementations, the outer member 304 isproduced to form a cap 304 c that is formed over the projecting platform302 d of the inner member 302.

FIG. 26A illustrates an exploded perspective view of a bite blockaccording to another implementation. FIG. 27 shows a cross-sectionalview of the parts of the bite block in an assembled state. According toone implementation the bite block 123 is made by injection molding theinner member 302 over the light reflecting member 307 from a materialthat is transparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. In theinjection molding process the recess 302 c is formed along with aprojecting platform 302 d. The projecting platform 302 d comprisesfeatures for receiving a distal end portion of a strain relief member310 from which the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber 306projects. Upon the inner member 302 being formed the radially emittingfiber 306 is fitted into the recess 302 c and may be held therein by thestructure of the recess itself (as described above in conjunction withFIGS. 8B and 8C) or by use of an adhesive that is transparent to lightat least in the visual spectrum. When a first subassembly comprising theinner member 302, light reflecting member 307 and radially emittingfiber 306 is complete, the first subassembly is placed into a mold alongwith the optical diffuser 307, the optical diffuser 308 being disposedabout the outer surface 302 b of the inner member 302 to lie over theradially emitting fiber 306. The mold therefore holds therein a secondsubassembly that comprises the first subassembly and the opticaldiffuser 308. The outer member 304, which is made of a materialtransparent to light at least in the visual spectrum, is then injectionmolded to envelop portions of or the entirety of the second subassembly.According to some implementations, the outer member 304 is produced toform a cap 304 c that is formed over the projecting platform 302 d ofthe inner member 302.

According to some implementations the recess 302 a has a constructionsimilar to that of either FIG. 12A or 12B that results in the radiallyemitting fiber residing entirely inside the recess with a freedom ofmovement in both the radial direction and axial direction of the fiber.According to such an implementation, the light reflecting member 307 issufficiently rigid to lie over the opening of the recess 302 c (in alike manner to that of the optical diffuser 135 in FIGS. 12A and 12B) toprevent the material from which the outer member 304 is made fromentering the recess during the injection molding of the outer member. Asshown in FIG. 25, this construction results in an air gap 330 inside therecess 302 c. According to some implementations the length of theradially emitting fiber 306 is also shorter than the length of therecess 302 c to facilitate an axial movement of the fiber inside therecess when the bite block is flexed or otherwise deformed during use.

FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bite block 123 of FIG.26A in a fully assembled state.

FIG. 26B is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block ofFIG. 26A absent the optical diffuser 308. According to oneimplementation the bite block 123 is made by injection molding the innermember 302 from a material that is transparent to light at least in thevisual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess 302 c isformed along with a projecting platform 302 d. The projecting platform302 d comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strainrelief member 310 from which the proximal end of the radially emittingfiber 306 projects. Upon the inner member 302 being formed, the radiallyemitting fiber 306 is fitted into the recess 302 c and may be heldtherein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above inconjunction with FIGS. 8B and 8C) or by use of an adhesive that istransparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a firstsubassembly comprising the inner member 302 and radially emitting fiber306 is complete, the first subassembly is placed into a mold along withthe light reflecting member 7, the light reflecting member 307 beingdisposed about the inner surface 302 a of the inner member 302. The moldtherefore holds therein a second subassembly that comprises the firstsubassembly and the light reflecting member 307. The outer member 304,which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visualspectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or theentirety of the second subassembly. According to some implementations,the outer member 304 is produced to form a cap 304 c that is formed overthe projecting platform 302 d of the inner member 302.

With continued reference to FIG. 26B according to some implementationsthe recess 302 a has a construction similar to that of either FIG. 12Aor 12B that results in the radially emitting fiber residing entirelyinside the recess with a freedom of movement in both the radialdirection and axial direction of the fiber. According to such animplementation, the light reflecting member 307 is sufficiently rigid tolie over the opening of the recess 302 c (in a like manner to that ofthe optical diffuser 135 in FIGS. 12A and 12B) to prevent the materialfrom which the outer member 304 is made from entering the recess duringthe injection molding of the outer member. According to someimplementations the length of the radially emitting fiber 306 is alsoshorter than the length of the recess 302 c to facilitate an axialmovement of the fiber inside the recess when the bite block is flexed orotherwise deformed during use.

FIG. 26C is an exploded perspective view of a bite block according toanother implementation. The bite block is similar to the bite block ofFIG. 24C absent the light reflecting member 307. According to oneimplementation the bite block 123 is made by injection molding the innermember 302 from a material that is transparent to light at least in thevisual spectrum. In the injection molding process the recess 302 c isformed along with a projecting platform 302 d. The projecting platform302 d comprises features for receiving a distal end portion of a strainrelief member 310 from which the proximal end of the radially emittingfiber 306 projects. Upon the inner member 302 being formed, the radiallyemitting fiber 306 is fitted into the recess 302 c and may be heldtherein by the structure of the recess itself (as described above inconjunction with FIGS. 8B and 8C) or by use of an adhesive that istransparent to light at least in the visual spectrum. When a subassemblycomprising the inner member 302 and radially emitting fiber 306 iscomplete, the subassembly is placed into a mold with an optical diffuser308 lying over the radially emitting fiber 306. The outer member 304,which is made of a material transparent to light at least in the visualspectrum, is then injection molded to envelop portions of or theentirety of the subassembly. According to some implementations, theouter member 304 is produced to form a cap 304 c that is formed over theprojecting platform 302 d of the inner member 302.

While specific implementations and applications have been illustratedand described, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limitedto the precise configuration and components disclosed herein. Variousmodifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, anddetails of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosedherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, the disclosure describes in detail various implementationsof light disinfecting systems and of their individual components. It isappreciated, however, that the disclosed features are applicable to ahost of other types of devices inside and outside the medical field. Asmentioned above, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein can also beapplied to equipment or components of water processing plants, foodprocessing plants, dairies, livestock habitation facilities, etc. Forexample, the lip guard 128 disclosed herein may comprise a stand-alonedevice that may be applied over a wound or puncture site of a patient,or over any other surface or component in need of bacterialdisinfection. Likewise, the collar 111 and bite block 123 configurationsdisclosed herein can each be stand-alone devices that may be fittedaround an extremity of a patient, a fluid pipe in a food processingplant, etc.

The following clauses disclose in an unlimited way additionalimplementations, with each clause representing an implementation.Additional implementations are represented by one or more of theimplementations of one group or groups of clauses with one or moreimplementations of another group or groups of clauses. Group A through Jclauses are provided.

Group a Clauses:

Clause 1. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a planar surface anda non-planar surface, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible body capable of assuming a planar state and a non-planarstate, the flexible body being made of a material that is transparent tolight and having formed therein a channel;

a radially emitting fiber having a length and being disposed in thechannel, the radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis andconfigured to radially emit bacterial disinfecting light, at least aportion of the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radialfreedom of movement inside the channel when the flexible bodytransitions between the planar and non-planar states, the axial and/orradial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress appliedalong the length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible bodytransitions between the planar and non-planar states as compared to anamount of tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radiallyemitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom ofmovement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel.

Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel hasan end wall, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaceda distance from the end wall of the channel.

Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the proximal endof the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the flexible bodyand the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to theflexible body.

Clause 4. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the distancebetween the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the end wallof the channel changes when the flexible body transitions between theplanar and non-planar states.

Clause 5. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, whereinthe radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a correspondingcross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, thecross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that thecross-sectional area of the channel.

Clause 6. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, whereinthe channel includes one or more straight sections and one or morecurved sections, the one or more straight sections having a firstcross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a secondcross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectionalarea.

Clause 7. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, whereinthe channel includes at least one straight section and at least onecurved section, the curved section being defined by one or more walls,at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curvedsection being spaced apart from the one or more walls.

Clause 8. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, whereinthe channel is located internal to the flexible body.

Clause 9. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 8, whereinthe radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the flexiblebody being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radiallyemitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 10. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, whereinthe flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel beingformed in the front face, the back face of the flexible body comprisinga light reflecting coating that is configured to reflect the bacterialdisinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emittingfiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body.

Clause 11. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 9, whereinthe flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel beingformed in the front face, the apparatus further comprising a lightreflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexible body, thelight reflecting element having a front face that faces the back face ofthe flexible body and a back face opposite the front face, the frontface of the light reflecting element being configured to reflect thebacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radiallyemitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexiblebody.

Clause 12. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the lightreflecting element is a metallic foil.

Clause 13. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the lightreflecting element is a metal sheet.

Clause 14. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 13, furthercomprising a flexible liner that is transparent to light, the flexibleliner enveloping the flexible body.

Clause 15. The apparatus according to anyone of clauses 1 to 13, furthercomprising a flexible liner that lies over the front face of theflexible body and the back face of the light reflecting element, theflexible liner being transparent to light.

Clause 16. The apparatus according to clause 14, further comprising anoptical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible bodyand the flexible liner.

Clause 17. The apparatus according to clause 15, further comprising anoptical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible bodyand the flexible liner.

Clause 18. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising anoptical diffuser having a front face and a back face, the back face ofthe optical diffuser being disposed over the front face of the flexiblebody.

Clause 19. The apparatus according to clause 18, further comprising aflexible liner transparent to light that lies over the front face of theoptical diffuser and the back face of the flexible body.

Clause 20. The apparatus according to clause 19, wherein a lightreflecting coating or element is disposed between the back face of theflexible body and the flexible liner.

Clause 21. The apparatus according to clause 10, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of theflexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimensionthat is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emittingfiber.

Clause 22. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of thelight reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greaterthan or equal to the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 23. The apparatus according to clause 10, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of theflexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimensionthat is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radiallyemitting fiber.

Clause 24. The apparatus according to clause 11, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of thelight reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greaterthan 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 25. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising anelongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides,the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radiallyemitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular memberhaving a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, theelongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent tolight.

Clause 26. The apparatus according to clause 25, wherein the elongatetubular member is fixed inside the channel.

Clause 27. The apparatus according to clause 26, wherein the elongatetubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparentadhesive.

Clause 28. The apparatus according to clause 25, wherein the elongatetubular member is flexible.

Clause 29. The apparatus according to clause 25, wherein the elongatetubular member has a length that is greater than the length of theradially emitting fiber.

Clause 30. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gap existsbetween an outer surface of the radially emitting fiber and an innerwall of the channel, the gap being occupied by an index matching gelthat facilitates a coupling of light between the outer surface of theradially emitting fiber and the inner wall of the channel.

Clause 31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the indexmatching gel allows the radially emitting fiber to more easily slidewithin the channel in comparison to the fiber's ability to slide in thechannel absent the index matching gel.

Clause 32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber comprises a core that is surrounded by a cladding, thecladding having a first refractive index, the inner wall of the channelcomprising a material having a second refractive index, the indexmatching gel having a third refractive index that is between the firstrefractive index and the second refractive index.

Group B Clauses:

Clause 1. A lip guard for an endotracheal tube support assembly thatcomprises a bite block, the lip guard comprising:

a flexible body made of a material that is transparent to light andhaving formed therein a channel, the flexible body having anas-manufactured state and a flexed state that occurs when the flexiblebody is bent away from its as-manufactured state;

a radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radiallyemit bacterial disinfecting light, the radially emitting fiber having alongitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel, at least a portion ofthe radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom ofmovement inside the channel when the flexible body transitions betweenthe as-manufactured state and the flexed state, the axial and or radialfreedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied alongthe length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body is bentas compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise beapplied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/orradial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside thechannel.

Clause 2. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel hasan end wall, the distal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaceda distance from the end wall of the channel.

Clause 3. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 2, whereinthe proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to theflexible body and the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is notfixed to the flexible body.

Clause 4. The lip guard according to clause 2, wherein the distancebetween the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the end wallof the channel changes when the flexible body transitions between theas-manufactured and flexed states.

Clause 5. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, whereinthe radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and a correspondingcross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectional area, thecross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being less that thecross-sectional area of the channel.

Clause 6. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, whereinthe channel includes one or more straight sections and one or morecurved sections, the one or more straight sections having a firstcross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a secondcross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectionalarea.

Clause 7. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the channelincludes at least one straight section and at least one curved section,the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least aportion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved sectionbeing spaced apart from the one or more walls.

Clause 8. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, whereinthe channel is located internal to the flexible body.

Clause 9. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 8, whereinthe radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the flexiblebody being sufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of the flexible bodyinside the channel that would result in a bending of the radiallyemitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 10. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the lip guard beingsufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiberbeyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 11. The lip guard according to any of clauses 1-10, wherein theflexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel being formedin the front face, the back face of the flexible body comprising a lightreflecting coating that is configured to reflect a bacterialdisinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emittingfiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body.

Clause 12. The lip guard according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, whereinthe flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channel beingformed in the front face, the lip guard further comprising a lightreflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexible body, thelight reflecting element having a front face that faces the back face ofthe flexible body and a back face opposite the front face, the frontface of the light reflecting element being configured to reflect abacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radiallyemitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexiblebody.

Clause 13. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the lightreflecting element is a metallic foil.

Clause 14. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the lightreflecting element is a metal sheet.

Clause 15. The lip guard according to clause 11, further comprising aflexible liner that is transparent to light, the flexible linerenveloping the flexible body.

Clause 16. The lip guard according to clause 12, further comprising aflexible liner that lies over the front face of the flexible body andthe back face of the light reflecting element, the flexible liner beingtransparent to light.

Clause 17. The lip guard according to clause 15, further comprising anoptical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible bodyand the flexible liner.

Clause 18. The lip guard according to clause 16, further comprising anoptical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible bodyand the flexible liner.

Clause 19. The lip guard according to clause 1, further comprising anoptical diffuser having a front face and a back face, the back face ofthe optical diffuser being disposed over the front face of the flexiblebody.

Clause 20. The lip guard according to clause 19, further comprising aliner that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and the backface of the flexible body.

Clause 21. The lip guard according to clause 20, further comprising alight reflecting coating or light reflecting element that is disposedbetween the back face of the flexible body and the liner.

Clause 22. The lip guard according to clause 11, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of theflexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimensionthat is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emittingfiber.

Clause 23. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of thelight reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greaterthan or equal to the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 24. The lip guard according to clause 11, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the back face of theflexible body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimensionthat is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radiallyemitting fiber.

Clause 25. The lip guard according to clause 12, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of thelight reflecting element being separated by a distance that is greaterthan 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 26. The lip guard according to clause 1, further comprising anelongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides,the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radiallyemitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular memberhaving a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, theelongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent tolight.

Clause 27. The lip guard according to clause 26, wherein the elongatetubular member is fixed inside the channel.

Clause 28. The lip guard according to clause 27, wherein the elongatetubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparentadhesive.

Clause 29. The lip guard according to clause 25, wherein the elongatetubular member is flexible.

Clause 30. The lip guard according to clause 25, wherein the elongatetubular member has a length that is greater than the length of theradially emitting fiber.

Clause 31. The lip guard according to clause 1, wherein the flexiblebody comprises a through opening configured to receive therein the biteblock.

Group C Clauses:

Clause 1. A method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfectinga surface, the method comprising:

obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back facewith there being a channel formed in the front face;

applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that isconfigured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of thebody;

inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel to form asubassembly that includes the light transparent body, the lightreflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radiallyemitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfectinglight; and

injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front faceof the light transparent body.

Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the liner isinjection molded to envelop the subassembly.

Clause 3. The method according to clause 1, wherein each of the lighttransparent body and light transparent liner is flexible that results inthe apparatus being flexible when the apparatus is fully assembled.

Clause 4. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 3, wherein thelight transparent body and the light transparent liner are made of asame material.

Clause 5. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 3, wherein thelight transparent body is made of a first material and the lighttransparent liner is made of a second material different than the firstmaterial.

Clause 6. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises coating the back face with a lightreflecting paint.

Clause 7. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises applying a foil to the back face ofthe light transparent body, the foil having a light reflecting frontface and a back face, the front face of the foil lying over the backface of the light transparent body.

Clause 8. The method according to clause 7, further comprising injectionmolding the light transparent liner over the back face of the foil.

Clause 9. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises applying a metal sheet to the backface of the light transparent body, the metal sheet having a lightreflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the metal sheetlying over the back face of the light transparent body.

Clause 10. The method according to clause 9, further comprisinginjection molding the light transparent liner over the back face of themetal sheet.

Clause 11. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, whereinobtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back facewith there being a channel formed in the front face includes injectionmolding a polymeric material to form the light transparent body, thechannel being formed in front face of the light transparent body duringthe injection molding.

Clause 12. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 11, whereineach of the light transparent body, light reflecting element and lighttransparent liner is made of a flexible material that results in theapparatus being flexible with an ability to transition between flat andcurved configurations to respectively bacterially disinfect a flatsurface and a curved surface.

Group D Clauses:

Clause 1. A method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfectinga surface, the method comprising:

obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back facewith there being a channel formed in the front face;

applying to the back face of the body a light reflecting element that isconfigured to reflect light in a direction toward the front face of thebody, the light reflecting element having a back face and a front facethat faces the back face of the body;

inserting a radially emitting fiber that is configured to radially emitbacterial disinfecting light into the channel;

applying an optical diffuser element over the front face of the body andthe radially emitting fiber to form a subassembly that includes thelight transparent body, the light reflecting element, the radiallyemitting fiber and the optical diffuser element.

injection molding a light transparent liner over at least the front faceof the optical diffuser.

Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the lighttransparent liner is injection molded to envelop the subassembly.

Clause 3. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 2, wherein thelight transparent body, optical diffuser and light transparent liner aremade of flexible materials that results in the apparatus being flexiblewhen fully assembled.

Clause 4. The method according to clause 3, wherein the lighttransparent body and light transparent liner are made of the sameflexible material.

Clause 5. The method according to clause 3, wherein the lighttransparent body is made of a first flexible material and the lighttransparent liner is made of a second material different than the firstflexible material.

Clause 6. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises coating the back face with a lightreflecting paint.

Clause 7. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises applying a foil to the back face ofthe light transparent body, the foil having a light reflecting frontface and a back face, the front face of the foil lying over the backface of the light transparent body.

Clause 8. The method according to clause 7, further comprising injectionmolding the light transparent liner over the back face of the foil.

Clause 9. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 5, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises applying a metal sheet to the backface of the light transparent body, the metal sheet having a lightreflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the metal sheetlying over the back face of the light transparent body.

Clause 10. The method according to clause 9, further comprisinginjection molding the light transparent liner over the back face of themetal sheet.

Clause 11. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, whereinobtaining the light transparent body that has a front face and a backface with there being a channel formed in the front face includesinjection molding a polymeric material to form the light transparentbody, the channel being formed in front face of the light transparentbody during the injection molding.

Clause 12. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 11, whereinthe light transparent body, light reflecting element, optical diffuserand light transparent liner are made of flexible materials that resultsin the apparatus being flexible with an ability to transition betweenflat and curved configurations to respectively bacterially disinfect aflat surface and a curved surface.

Group E Clauses:

Clause 1. A method for making an apparatus for bacterially disinfectinga surface, the method comprising:

obtaining a light transparent body that has a front face and a back facewith there being a channel formed in the front face;

applying to the back face of the light transparent body a lightreflecting element that is configured to reflect light in a directiontoward the front face of the light transparent body, the lightreflecting element having a back face and a front face that faces theback face of the light transparent body;

inserting a radially emitting fiber into the channel to form a firstsubassembly that includes the light transparent body, the lightreflecting element and the radially emitting fiber, the radiallyemitting fiber being configured to radially emit bacterial disinfectinglight;

injection molding a light transparent first liner over the firstsubassembly, the first liner including a first portion that lies overthe front face of the light transparent body and a second portion thatlies over the back face of the light reflecting element,

applying an optical diffuser element over the first portion of the firstliner to form a second subassembly that includes the light transparentbody, the light reflecting element, the radially emitting fiber, thefirst liner and the optical diffuser; and

injection molding a light transparent second liner over the secondsubassembly.

Clause 2. The method according to clause 1, wherein the first liner isinjection molded to envelop the first subassembly.

Clause 3. The method according to clause 1, wherein the second liner isinjection molded to envelop the second subassembly.

Clause 4. The method according to clause 2, wherein the second liner isinjection molded to envelop the second subassembly.

Clause 5. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 4, wherein thelight transparent body, light reflecting element, first liner, secondliner and optical diffuser are made of a flexible material that resultsin the apparatus being flexible when fully assembled.

Clause 6. The method according to clause 5, wherein the lighttransparent body, first liner and second liner are made of the sameflexible material.

Clause 7. The method according to clause 5, wherein the lighttransparent body is made of a first flexible material and the first andsecond liners are made of a second material different than the firstflexible material.

Clause 8. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises coating the back face with a lightreflecting paint.

Clause 9. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises applying a foil to the back face ofthe light transparent body, the foil having a light reflecting frontface and a back face, the front face of the foil lying over the backface of the light transparent body.

Clause 10. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 7, wherein theprocess of applying to the back face of the light transparent body alight reflecting element comprises applying a metal sheet to the backface of the light transparent body, the metal sheet having a lightreflecting front face and a back face, the front face of the metal sheetlying over the back face of the light transparent body.

Clause 11. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 10, whereinobtaining the light transparent body that has a front face and a backface with there being a channel formed in the front face includesinjection molding a polymeric material to form the light transparentbody, the channel being formed in front face of the light transparentbody during the injection molding.

Clause 12. The method according to anyone of clauses 1 to 11, whereinthe light transparent body, light reflecting element, optical diffuser,first liner and second liner are made of flexible materials that resultsin the apparatus being flexible with an ability to transition betweenflat and curved configurations to respectively bacterially disinfect aflat surface and a curved surface.

Group F Clauses:

Clause 1. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, theapparatus comprising:

a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outerface and a through opening, the through opening extending along thelength of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of amaterial that is transparent to light and having formed in the outerface a channel;

a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed inthe channel of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having alength and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting lightalong a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, theradially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward thethrough opening and an outer side that faces away from the throughopening; and

a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-likesurface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the lightreflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfectinglight emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein at least one ormore portions of the radially emitting fiber has an axial and/or radialfreedom of movement inside the channel.

Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-likebody is elastically deformable so that the apparatus is transitionalbetween non-deformed and deformed states, at least one or more portionsof the radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom ofmovement inside the channel when the apparatus transitions between thenon-deformed and deformed states, the axial and/or radial freedom ofmovement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied along the lengthof the radially emitting fiber when the apparatus transitions betweenthe non-deformed and deformed states as compared to an amount of tensilestress that would otherwise be applied to the radially emitting fiber inan absence of the axial and/or radial freedom of movement of theradially emitting fiber inside the channel.

Clause 4. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has aproximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emittingfiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel.

Clause 5. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal end and the channel has aproximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the radially emittingfiber being spaced a distance from the distal end of the channel.

Clause 6. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the proximal endof the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like bodyand the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to thetube-like body.

Clause 7. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the proximal endof the radially emitting fiber is fixed relative to the tube-like bodyand the distal end of the radially emitting fiber is not fixed to thetube-like body.

Clause 8. The apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the distancebetween the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal endof the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between thenon-deformed and deformed states.

Clause 9. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the distancebetween the distal end of the radially emitting fiber and the distal endof the channel changes when the tube-like body transitions between thenon-deformed and deformed states.

Clause 10. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has an outer diameter and a corresponding cross-sectionalarea and the channel has a cross-sectional area, the cross-sectionalarea of the radially emitting fiber being less that the cross-sectionalarea of the channel.

Clause 11. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the channelincludes one or more straight sections and one or more curved sections,the one or more straight sections having a first cross-sectional areaand the one or more curved sections having a second cross-sectional areathat is greater than the first cross-sectional area.

Clause 12. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the channelincludes at least one straight section and at least one curved section,the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at least aportion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved sectionbeing spaced apart from the one or more walls.

Clause 13. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the tube-like body beingsufficiently rigid to prevent a deformation of the tube-like body thatwould result in a bending of the radially emitting fiber beyond theminimum bending radius.

Clause 14. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the apparatus beingsufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emitting fiberbeyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 15. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the lightreflecting element is a metallic foil.

Clause 16. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the lightreflecting element is a metal sheet.

Clause 17. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-likebody, radially emitting fiber and light reflecting element comprise asubassembly, the apparatus further comprising a light transparent linerthat envelopes the subassembly.

Clause 18. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the lightreflecting element comprises a back face and a front face opposite theback face that faces the outer face of the tube-like body, the apparatusfurther comprising a liner that lies over the back face of the lightreflecting element.

Clause 19. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising anoptical diffuser having a front face and an opposite back face that liesover the front face of the tube-like body.

Clause 20. The apparatus according to clause 19, further comprising alight transparent liner that lies over the front face of the opticaldiffuser and the back face of the light reflecting element.

Clause 21. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of thetube-line body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimensionthat is greater than the diameter dimension of the radially emittingfiber.

Clause 22. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the radiallyemitting fiber has a diameter dimension, the channel has a bottomsurface, the bottom surface of the channel and the front face of thetube-like body being separated by a wall having a thickness dimensionthat is greater than 2 times the diameter dimension of the radiallyemitting fiber.

Clause 23. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising anelongate tubular member in which the radially emitting fiber resides,the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, the radiallyemitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubular memberhaving a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, theelongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparent tolight.

Clause 24. The apparatus according to clause 23, wherein the elongatetubular member is fixed inside the channel.

Clause 25. The apparatus according to clause 24, wherein the elongatetubular member is fixed inside the channel by use of a light transparentadhesive.

Clause 26. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-likebody has a C-shaped cross-section.

Clause 27. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-likebody has a circular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 28. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-likebody has a semicircular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 29. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-likebody has a rectangular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 30. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the tube-likebody has a semi-rectangular-shaped cross-section.

Group G Clauses:

Clause 1. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, theapparatus comprising:

a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including anouter surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the throughopening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being boundby the inner surface;

a side firing fiber disposed adjacent a first part of the outer surfaceof the tube-like body, the side firing fiber having a longitudinal axisand an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect abacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the sidefiring fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the throughopening has a central axis, the side firing fiber being oriented tototally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting light beam out ofa side surface of the side firing fiber in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis in a direction toward the central axis of the throughopening.

Clause 3. The apparatus according to clause 1 including a plurality ofside firing fibers that each has a longitudinal axis and an angled endface that is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacteriallydisinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiberin a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction towardthe through opening of the tube-like body, each of the side firingfibers being located adjacent different parts of the outer surface ofthe tube-like body than of the other side firing fibers.

Clause 4. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the throughopening of the tube-like body has a central axis and each of theplurality side firing fibers being configured to emit a bacterialdisinfecting light beam directed toward the central axis of throughopening.

Clause 5. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein the plurality ofside firing fibers are disposed equidistantly about the outer surface ofthe tube-like body.

Clause 6. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the side firingfiber resides in an air-filled cavity.

Clause 7. The apparatus according to clause 3, wherein each of the sidefiring fibers resides in an air-filled cavity.

Clause 8. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an endemitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfectinglight beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal endof the end emitting fiber abutting a second part of the surface of thetube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting lightbeam in a direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 9. The apparatus according to clause 1, further comprising an endemitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfectingbeam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of theend emitting fiber being attached to a second part of the outer surfaceof the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and orientedto direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction towardthe through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 10. The apparatus according to clause 9, wherein the end emittingfiber has a core having a first index of refraction and the tube-likebody is composed of a material that has a second index of refraction,the index matching adhesive have an index of refraction that is greaterthan or equal to the first index of refraction and less than or equal tothe second index of refraction.

Clause 11. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the throughopening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, the apparatusfurther comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emita bacterial disinfecting light beam from a distal end of the endemitting fiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting asecond part of the surface of the tube-like body and oriented to directthe bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the centralaxis of the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 12. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the throughopening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, the apparatusfurther comprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emita bacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emittingfiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to asecond part of the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of anindex matching adhesive and oriented to direct the bacterialdisinfecting light beam in a direction toward the central axis of thethrough opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 13. The apparatus according to clause 3, further comprising anend emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterialdisinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, thedistal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a portion of the outersurface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterialdisinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of thetube-like body.

Clause 14. The apparatus according to clause 3, further comprising anend emitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterialdisinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, thedistal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a portion of theouter surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesiveand oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 15. The apparatus according to clause 3 wherein the differentparts of the outer surface of the tube-like body are each arranged atdifferent circumferential locations of the exterior surface, theplurality of side firing fibers being respectively disposed adjacent theplurality of planar surfaces.

Clause 16. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a surface, theapparatus comprising:

a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including anouter surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the throughopening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being boundby the inner surface, the outer surface comprising a plurality of sideslocated at different circumferential locations;

a plurality of side firing fibers respectively disposed adjacent theplurality of sides of the outer surface of the tube-like body, each ofthe side firing fibers having a longitudinal axis and an angled end facethat is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacteriallydisinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiberin a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction towardthe through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 17. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outersurface comprises at least two sides and at least two side firingfibers.

Clause 18. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outersurface comprises at least three sides and at least three side firingfibers.

Clause 19. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outersurface comprises at least three sides and at least three side firingfibers.

Clause 20. The apparatus according to clause 16, wherein the outersurface comprises at least four sides and at least four side firingfibers.

Group H Clauses:

Clause 1. An endotracheal tube support assembly comprising:

a headband configured for placement around the head of a patient;

a bite block supported on the headband, the bite block being configuredto support at least a portion of an intubation tube;

a lip guard supported on the headband, the lip guard comprising:

a flexible body made of a material that is transparent to light andhaving formed therein a channel, the flexible body having anas-manufactured state and a flexed state that occurs when the flexiblebody is bent away from its as-manufactured state;

a radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radiallyemit bacterial disinfecting light, the radially emitting fiber having alongitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel, at least a portion ofthe radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom ofmovement inside the channel when the flexible body transitions betweenthe as-manufactured state and the flexed state, the axial and or radialfreedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied alongthe length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body is bentas compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise beapplied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/orradial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside thechannel.

Clause 2. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal endand the channel has an end wall, the distal end of the radially emittingfiber being spaced a distance from the end wall of the channel.

Clause 3. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2,wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixedrelative to the flexible body and the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber is not fixed to the flexible body.

Clause 4. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2,wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emittingfiber and the end wall of the channel changes when the flexible bodytransitions between the as-manufactured and flexed states.

Clause 5. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and acorresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectionalarea, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being lessthat the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Clause 6. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one ormore curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a firstcross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a secondcross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectionalarea.

Clause 7. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at leastone curved section, the curved section being defined by one or morewalls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in thecurved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls.

Clause 8. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the channel is located internal to the flexible body.

Clause 9. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, theflexible body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of theflexible body inside the channel that would result in a bending of theradially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 10. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, thelip guard being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radiallyemitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 11. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channelbeing formed in the front face, the back face of the flexible bodycomprising a light reflecting coating that is configured to reflect abacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radiallyemitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexiblebody.

Clause 12. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, the channelbeing formed in the front face, the lip guard further comprising a lightreflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexible body, thelight reflecting element having a front face that faces the back face ofthe flexible body and a back face opposite the front face, the frontface of the light reflecting element being configured to reflect abacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radiallyemitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexiblebody.

Clause 13. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause12, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil.

Clause 14. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause12, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet.

Clause 15. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause11, further comprising a flexible liner that is transparent to light,the flexible liner enveloping the flexible body.

Clause 16. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause12, further comprising a flexible liner that lies over the front face ofthe flexible body and the back face of the light reflecting element, theflexible liner being transparent to light.

Clause 17. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause15, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the frontface of the flexible body and the flexible liner.

Clause 18. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause16, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the frontface of the flexible body and the flexible liner.

Clause 19. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and a backface, the back face of the optical diffuser being disposed over thefront face of the flexible body.

Clause 20. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause19, further comprising a liner that lies over the front face of theoptical diffuser and the back face of the flexible body.

Clause 21. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause20, further comprising a light reflecting coating or light reflectingelement that is disposed between the back face of the flexible body andthe liner.

Clause 22. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and theback face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of theradially emitting fiber.

Clause 23. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause12, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distancethat is greater than or equal to the diameter dimension of the radiallyemitting fiber.

Clause 24. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and theback face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameterdimension of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 25. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause12, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distancethat is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radiallyemitting fiber.

Clause 26. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radiallyemitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in thechannel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and theelongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater thanthe first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a materialthat is transparent to light.

Clause 27. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause26, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel.

Clause 28. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause27, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel byuse of a light transparent adhesive.

Clause 29. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause25, wherein the elongate tubular member is flexible.

Clause 30. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause25, wherein the elongate tubular member has a length that is greaterthan the length of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 31. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the flexible body comprises a through opening configured toreceive therein the bite block.

Clause 32. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the bite block comprises:

a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outerface and a through opening, the through opening extending along thelength of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of amaterial that is transparent to light and having formed in the outerface a channel;

a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed inthe channel of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having alength and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting lightalong a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, theradially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward thethrough opening and an outer side that faces away from the throughopening; and

a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-likesurface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the lightreflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfectinglight emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 33. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiberhas an axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel.

Clause 34. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the tube-like body is elastically deformable so that thebite block is transitional between non-deformed and deformed states, atleast one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber having anaxial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the biteblock transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states, theaxial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensilestress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when thebite block transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states ascompared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be appliedto the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radialfreedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel.

Clause 35. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause33, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distalend and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal endof the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distalend of the channel.

Clause 36. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause34, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distalend and the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal endof the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distalend of the channel.

Clause 37. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause33, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixedrelative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body.

Clause 38. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause34, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixedrelative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body.

Clause 39. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause33, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emittingfiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like bodytransitions between the non-deformed and deformed states.

Clause 40. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause34, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emittingfiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like bodytransitions between the non-deformed and deformed states.

Clause 41. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and acorresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectionalarea, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being lessthat the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Clause 42. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and oneor more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having afirst cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having asecond cross-sectional area that is greater than the firstcross-sectional area.

Clause 43. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and atleast one curved section, the curved section being defined by one ormore walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residingin the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls.

Clause 44. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius,the tube-like body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a deformation ofthe tube-like body that would result in a bending of the radiallyemitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 45. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius,the bite block being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of theradially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 46. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil.

Clause 47. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet.

Clause 48. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the tube-like body, radially emitting fiber and lightreflecting element comprise a subassembly, the bite block furthercomprising a light transparent liner that envelopes the subassembly.

Clause 49. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the light reflecting element comprises a back face and afront face opposite the back face that faces the outer face of thetube-like body, the bite block further comprising a liner that lies overthe back face of the light reflecting element.

Clause 50. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and anopposite back face that lies over the front face of the tube-like body.

Clause 51. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause50, further comprising a light transparent liner that lies over thefront face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the lightreflecting element.

Clause 52. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the tube-line body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of theradially emitting fiber.

Clause 53. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the tube-like body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than 2 times the diameter dimensionof the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 54. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radiallyemitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in thechannel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and theelongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater thanthe first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a materialthat is transparent to light.

Clause 55. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause54, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel.

Clause 56. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause55, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel byuse of a light transparent adhesive.

Clause 57. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the tube-like body has a C-shaped cross-section.

Clause 58. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the tube-like body has a circular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 59. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the tube-like body has a semicircular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 60. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the tube-like body has a rectangular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 61. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the tube-like body has a semi-rectangular-shapedcross-section.

Clause 62. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the lip guard comprises a though opening through which the biteblock passes.

Group I Clauses:

Clause 1. An endotracheal tube support assembly comprising:

a headband configured for placement around the head of a patient;

a bite block supported on the headband, the bite block being configuredto support at least a portion of an intubation tube, the bite blockcomprising:

a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outerface and a through opening, the through opening extending along thelength of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of amaterial that is transparent to light and having formed in the outerface a channel;

a radially emitting fiber having a longitudinal axis that is disposed inthe channel of the tube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having alength and configured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting lightalong a majority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, theradially emitting fiber having an inner side that faces the toward thethrough opening and an outer side that faces away from the throughopening; and

a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-likesurface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the lightreflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfectinglight emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in adirection towards the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 2. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein at least one or more portions of the radially emitting fiber hasan axial and/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel.

Clause 3. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the tube-like body is elastically deformable so that the biteblock is transitional between non-deformed and deformed states, at leastone or more portions of the radially emitting fiber having an axialand/or radial freedom of movement inside the channel when the bite blocktransitions between the non-deformed and deformed states, the axialand/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stressapplied along the length of the radially emitting fiber when the biteblock transitions between the non-deformed and deformed states ascompared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise be appliedto the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radialfreedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel.

Clause 4. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal endand the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end ofthe radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal endof the channel.

Clause 5. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 3,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distal endand the channel has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end ofthe radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance from the distal endof the channel.

Clause 6. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2,wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixedrelative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body.

Clause 7. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 3,wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixedrelative to the tube-like body and the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber is not fixed to the tube-like body.

Clause 8. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 2,wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emittingfiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like bodytransitions between the non-deformed and deformed states.

Clause 9. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 3,wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emittingfiber and the distal end of the channel changes when the tube-like bodytransitions between the non-deformed and deformed states.

Clause 10. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and acorresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectionalarea, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being lessthat the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Clause 11. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and one ormore curved sections, the one or more straight sections having a firstcross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having a secondcross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectionalarea.

Clause 12. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and at leastone curved section, the curved section being defined by one or morewalls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in thecurved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls.

Clause 13. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, thetube-like body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a deformation of thetube-like body that would result in a bending of the radially emittingfiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 14. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, thebite block being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radiallyemitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 15. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil.

Clause 16. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet.

Clause 17. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the tube-like body, radially emitting fiber and light reflectingelement comprise a subassembly, the bite block further comprising alight transparent liner that envelopes the subassembly.

Clause 18. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the light reflecting element comprises a back face and a frontface opposite the back face that faces the outer face of the tube-likebody, the bite block further comprising a liner that lies over the backface of the light reflecting element.

Clause 19. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and anopposite back face that lies over the front face of the tube-like body.

Clause 20. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause19, further comprising a light transparent liner that lies over thefront face of the optical diffuser and the back face of the lightreflecting element.

Clause 21. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the tube-line body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of theradially emitting fiber.

Clause 22. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the tube-like body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than 2 times the diameter dimensionof the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 23. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radiallyemitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in thechannel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and theelongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater thanthe first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a materialthat is transparent to light.

Clause 24. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause23, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel.

Clause 25. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause24, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel byuse of a light transparent adhesive.

Clause 26. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the tube-like body has a C-shaped cross-section.

Clause 27. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the tube-like body has a circular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 28. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the tube-like body has a semicircular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 29. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the tube-like body has a rectangular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 30. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,wherein the tube-like body has a semi-rectangular-shaped cross-section.

Clause 31. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause 1,further comprising a lip guard supported on the headband, the lip guardcomprising:

a flexible body made of a material that is transparent to light andhaving formed therein a channel, the flexible body having anas-manufactured state and a flexed state that occurs when the flexiblebody is bent away from its as-manufactured state;

a radially emitting fiber having a length and configured to radiallyemit bacterial disinfecting light, the radially emitting fiber having alongitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel, at least a portion ofthe radially emitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom ofmovement inside the channel when the flexible body transitions betweenthe as-manufactured state and the flexed state, the axial and or radialfreedom of movement reducing the amount of tensile stress applied alongthe length of the radially emitting fiber when the flexible body is bentas compared to an amount of tensile stress that would otherwise beapplied to the radially emitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/orradial freedom of movement of the radially emitting fiber inside thechannel.

Clause 32. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a proximal end and a distalend and the channel has an end wall, the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber being spaced a distance from the end wall of the channel.

Clause 33. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixedrelative to the flexible body and the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber is not fixed to the flexible body.

Clause 34. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the distance between the distal end of the radially emittingfiber and the end wall of the channel changes when the flexible bodytransitions between the as-manufactured and flexed states.

Clause 35. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and acorresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectionalarea, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being lessthat the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Clause 36. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sections and oneor more curved sections, the one or more straight sections having afirst cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sections having asecond cross-sectional area that is greater than the firstcross-sectional area.

Clause 37. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the channel includes at least one straight section and atleast one curved section, the curved section being defined by one ormore walls, at least a portion of the radially emitting fiber residingin the curved section being spaced apart from the one or more walls.

Clause 38. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the channel is located internal to the flexible body.

Clause 39. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius,the flexible body being sufficiently rigid to prevent a flexing of theflexible body inside the channel that would result in a bending of theradially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 40. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius,the lip guard being sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of theradially emitting fiber beyond the minimum bending radius.

Clause 41. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, thechannel being formed in the front face, the back face of the flexiblebody comprising a light reflecting coating that is configured to reflecta bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radiallyemitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexiblebody.

Clause 42. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, thechannel being formed in the front face, the lip guard further comprisinga light reflecting element disposed over the back face of the flexiblebody, the light reflecting element having a front face that faces theback face of the flexible body and a back face opposite the front face,the front face of the light reflecting element being configured toreflect a bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of theradially emitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of theflexible body.

Clause 43. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause42, wherein the light reflecting element is a metallic foil.

Clause 44. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause42, wherein the light reflecting element is a metal sheet.

Clause 45. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause41, further comprising a flexible liner that is transparent to light,the flexible liner enveloping the flexible body.

Clause 46. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause42, further comprising a flexible liner that lies over the front face ofthe flexible body and the back face of the light reflecting element, theflexible liner being transparent to light.

Clause 47. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause45, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the frontface of the flexible body and the flexible liner.

Clause 48. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause46, further comprising an optical diffuser disposed between the frontface of the flexible body and the flexible liner.

Clause 49. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, further comprising an optical diffuser having a front face and aback face, the back face of the optical diffuser being disposed over thefront face of the flexible body.

Clause 50. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause49, further comprising a liner that lies over the front face of theoptical diffuser and the back face of the flexible body.

Clause 51. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause40, further comprising a light reflecting coating or light reflectingelement that is disposed between the back face of the flexible body andthe liner.

Clause 52. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause41, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and theback face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than the diameter dimension of theradially emitting fiber.

Clause 53. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause42, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distancethat is greater than or equal to the diameter dimension of the radiallyemitting fiber.

Clause 54. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause41, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and theback face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameterdimension of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 55. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause32, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and thefront face of the light reflecting element being separated by a distancethat is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of the radiallyemitting fiber.

Clause 56. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, further comprising an elongate tubular member in which the radiallyemitting fiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in thechannel, the radially emitting fiber having a first diameter and theelongate tubular member having a second diameter that is greater thanthe first diameter, the elongate tubular member being made of a materialthat is transparent to light.

Clause 57. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause56, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel.

Clause 58. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause57, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside the channel byuse of a light transparent adhesive.

Clause 59. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause55, wherein the elongate tubular member is flexible.

Clause 60. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause55, wherein the elongate tubular member has a length that is greaterthan the length of the radially emitting fiber.

Clause 61. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the flexible body comprises a through opening configured toreceive therein the bite block.

Clause 62. The endotracheal tube support assembly according to clause31, wherein the lip guard comprises a though opening through which thebite block passes.

Group J Clauses:

Clause 1. An endotracheal tube assembly comprising:

an intubation tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

a ventilator tube;

a connector that fluidly connects the proximal end of the intubationtube with the ventilator tube, the connector having a first end and asecond end the first end of the connector being coupled with theventilator tube at a first connection location and the second end of theconnector being coupled with the proximal end of the intubation tube ata second connection location; and

a bacterial disinfecting light apparatus disposed about one or both ofthe first and second connection locations, the bacterial lightdisinfecting apparatus comprising one or more optical fibers that areconfigured to emit bacterial disinfecting light toward one or both ofthe first and second connection locations.

Clause 2. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, whereinthe one or more optical fibers include one or more radially emittingfibers.

Clause 3. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, whereinthe one or more optical fibers include one or more side firing fibers.

Clause 4. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, whereinthe one or more optical fibers include at least one side firing fiberand at least one end emitting fiber.

Clause 5. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, whereinthe bacterial disinfecting light apparatus comprises:

a tube-like body having a length and including an inner face, an outerface and a through opening, the through opening extending along thelength of the tube-like body, the tube-like body being made of amaterial that is transparent to light and having formed in the outerface a channel, at least a portion of the connector residing inside thethrough opening;

the one or more optical fibers including a radially emitting fiberhaving a longitudinal axis that is disposed in the channel of thetube-like body, the radially emitting fiber having a length andconfigured to radially emit a bacterial disinfecting light along amajority of the length of the radially emitting fiber, the radiallyemitting fiber having an inner side that faces towards the throughopening and an outer side that faces away from the through opening; and

a light reflecting element disposed over the outer face of the tube-likesurface and the outer side of the radially emitting fiber, the lightreflecting element configured to reflect the bacterial disinfectinglight emitted from the outer side of the radially emitting fiber in adirection towards the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 6. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 1, whereinthe bacterial disinfecting light apparatus comprises:

a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including anouter surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the throughopening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being boundby the inner surface, at least a portion of the connector residing inthe through opening;

a side firing fiber disposed adjacent a first part of the outer surfaceof the tube-like body, the side firing fiber having a longitudinal axisand an angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect abacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the sidefiring fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 7. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, whereinthe through opening has a central axis, the side firing fiber beingoriented to totally internally reflect a bacterially disinfecting lightbeam out of a side surface of the side firing fiber in a directiontransverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction toward the centralaxis of the through opening.

Clause 8. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6 includinga plurality of side firing fibers that each has a longitudinal axis andan angled end face that is oriented to totally internally reflect abacterially disinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the sidefiring fiber in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in adirection toward the through opening of the tube-like body, each of theside firing fibers being located adjacent different parts of the outersurface of the tube-like body than of the other side firing fibers.

Clause 9. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, whereinthe through opening of the tube-like body has a central axis and each ofthe plurality side firing fibers being configured to emit a bacterialdisinfecting light beam directed toward the central axis of throughopening.

Clause 10. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, whereinthe plurality of side firing fibers are disposed equidistantly about theouter surface of the tube-like body.

Clause 11. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, whereinthe side firing fiber resides in an air-filled cavity.

Clause 12. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, whereineach of the side firing fibers resides in an air-filled cavity.

Clause 13. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, furthercomprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit abacterial disinfecting light beam from a distal end of the end emittingfiber, the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a second partof the surface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct thebacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction toward the throughopening of the tube-like body.

Clause 14. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, furthercomprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit abacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber,the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a second partof the outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matchingadhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam ina direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 15. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 14,wherein the end emitting fiber has a core having a first index ofrefraction and the tube-like body is composed of a material that has asecond index of refraction, the index matching adhesive have an index ofrefraction that is greater than or equal to the first index ofrefraction and less than or equal to the second index of refraction.

Clause 16. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, whereinthe through opening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, thebacterial disinfecting light apparatus further comprising an endemitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfectinglight beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal endof the end emitting fiber abutting a second part of the surface of thetube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting lightbeam in a direction toward the central axis of the through opening ofthe tube-like body.

Clause 17. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 6, whereinthe through opening of the tube-like body includes a central axis, thebacterial disinfecting light apparatus further comprising an endemitting fiber that is configured to end emit a bacterial disinfectingbeam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber, the distal end of theend emitting fiber being attached to a second part of the outer surfaceof the tube-like body by use of an index matching adhesive and orientedto direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam in a direction towardthe central axis of the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 18. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, furthercomprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit abacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber,the distal end of the end emitting fiber abutting a portion of the outersurface of the tube-like body and oriented to direct the bacterialdisinfecting light beam in a direction toward the through opening of thetube-like body.

Clause 19. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8, furthercomprising an end emitting fiber that is configured to end emit abacterial disinfecting beam from a distal end of the end emitting fiber,the distal end of the end emitting fiber being attached to a portion ofthe outer surface of the tube-like body by use of an index matchingadhesive and oriented to direct the bacterial disinfecting light beam ina direction toward the through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 20. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 8 whereinthe different parts of the outer surface of the tube-like body are eacharranged at different circumferential locations of the exterior surface,the plurality of side firing fibers being respectively disposed adjacentthe plurality of planar surfaces.

Clause 21. The endotracheal tube assembly of clause 1, wherein thebacterial disinfecting light apparatus comprises:

a light transparent tube-like body having a length and including anouter surface, an inner surface and a through opening, the throughopening extending along the length of the tube-like body and being boundby the inner surface, the outer surface comprising a plurality of sideslocated at different circumferential locations;

a plurality of side firing fibers respectively disposed adjacent theplurality of sides of the outer surface of the tube-like body, each ofthe side firing fibers having a longitudinal axis and an angled end facethat is oriented to totally internally reflect a bacteriallydisinfecting light beam out of a side surface of the side firing fiberin a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis in a direction towardthe through opening of the tube-like body.

Clause 22. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21,wherein the outer surface comprises at least two sides and at least twoside firing fibers.

Clause 23. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21,wherein the outer surface comprises at least three sides and at leastthree side firing fibers.

Clause 24. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21,wherein the outer surface comprises at least three sides and at leastthree side firing fibers.

Clause 25. The endotracheal tube assembly according to clause 21,wherein the outer surface comprises at least four sides and at leastfour side firing fibers.

In the context of the present application the term “axial freedom ofmovement” refers to an object's ability to move in a directioncorresponding to a longitudinal axis of the body inside a channel orother housing in which the object is disposed. The term “radial freedomof movement” refers to an object's ability to move in a directionorthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the body inside a channel orother housing in which the object is disposed.

1. An apparatus for bacterially disinfecting a flat surface and aplurality of curved surfaces of different shapes, the apparatuscomprising: a flexible body made of a material that is transparent tolight and having formed therein a channel, the flexible body having anability to transition from a flat configuration to a plurality of curvedconfigurations to respectively bacterially disinfect the flat surfaceand the plurality of curved surfaces; and a radially emitting fiberhaving a length and being disposed in the channel, the radially emittingfiber having a longitudinal axis and configured to radially emitbacterial disinfecting light, at least a portion of the radiallyemitting fiber having an axial and/or radial freedom of movement insidethe channel when the flexible body transitions from the flatconfiguration to one or more of the plurality of curved configurations,the axial and/or radial freedom of movement reducing the amount oftensile stress applied along the length of the radially emitting fiberwhen the flexible body transitions from the flat configuration to theone or more plurality of curved configurations as compared to an amountof tensile stress that would otherwise be applied to the radiallyemitting fiber in an absence of the axial and/or radial freedom ofmovement of the radially emitting fiber inside the channel.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber hasa proximal end and a distal end and the channel has an end wall, thedistal end of the radially emitting fiber being spaced a distance fromthe end wall of the channel.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the proximal end of the radially emitting fiber is fixedrelative to the flexible body and the distal end of the radiallyemitting fiber is not fixed to the flexible body.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the distance between the distal end of theradially emitting fiber and the end wall of the channel changes when theflexible body transitions from the flat configuration to one or more ofthe plurality of curved configurations.
 5. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the radially emitting fiber has an outer diameter and acorresponding cross-sectional area and the channel has a cross-sectionalarea, the cross-sectional area of the radially emitting fiber being lessthat the cross-sectional area of the channel.
 6. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the channel includes one or more straight sectionsand one or more curved sections, the one or more straight sectionshaving a first cross-sectional area and the one or more curved sectionshaving a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the firstcross-sectional area.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thechannel includes at least one straight section and at least one curvedsection, the curved section being defined by one or more walls, at leasta portion of the radially emitting fiber residing in the curved sectionbeing spaced apart from the one or more walls.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the channel is located internal to theflexible body.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theradially emitting fiber has a minimum bending radius, the flexible bodybeing sufficiently rigid to prevent a bending of the radially emittingfiber beyond the minimum bending radius.
 10. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the flexible body has a front face and a back face, thechannel being formed in the front face, the back face of the flexiblebody comprising a light reflecting coating that is configured to reflectthe bacterial disinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radiallyemitting fiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexiblebody.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible bodyhas a front face and a back face, the channel being formed in the frontface, the apparatus further comprising a light reflecting elementdisposed over the back face of the flexible body, the light reflectingelement having a front face that faces the back face of the flexiblebody and a back face opposite the front face, the front face of thelight reflecting element being configured to reflect the bacterialdisinfecting light emitted from a backside of the radially emittingfiber in a direction toward the front face of the flexible body.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the light reflecting element isa metallic foil.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein thelight reflecting element is a metal sheet.
 14. The apparatus accordingto claim 10, further comprising a flexible liner that is transparent tolight, the flexible liner enveloping the flexible body.
 15. Theapparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a flexible linerthat lies over the front face of the flexible body and the back face ofthe light reflecting element, the flexible liner being transparent tolight.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising anoptical diffuser disposed between the front face of the flexible bodyand the flexible liner.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, furthercomprising an optical diffuser disposed between the front face of theflexible body and the flexible liner.
 18. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the non-tubular flexible body has a front face and aback face opposite the front face, the apparatus further comprising anoptical diffuser having a front face and a back face, the back face ofthe optical diffuser being disposed over the front face of the flexiblebody and not the back face of the flexible body.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 18, further comprising a flexible liner transparentto light that lies over the front face of the optical diffuser and theback face of the flexible body.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 19,wherein a light reflecting coating or element is disposed between theback face of the flexible body and the flexible liner.
 21. The apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein the radially emitting fiber has adiameter dimension, the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surfaceof the channel and the back face of the flexible body being separated bya wall having a thickness dimension that is greater than the diameterdimension of the radially emitting fiber.
 22. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension,the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel andthe front face of the light reflecting element being separated by adistance that is greater than or equal to the diameter dimension of theradially emitting fiber.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 10,wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension, thechannel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel and theback face of the flexible body being separated by a wall having athickness dimension that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameterdimension of the radially emitting fiber.
 24. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the radially emitting fiber has a diameter dimension,the channel has a bottom surface, the bottom surface of the channel andthe front face of the light reflecting element being separated by adistance that is greater than 2 to 5 times the diameter dimension of theradially emitting fiber.
 25. The apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising an elongate tubular member in which the radially emittingfiber resides, the elongate tubular member residing in the channel, theradially emitting fiber having a first diameter and the elongate tubularmember having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter,the elongate tubular member being made of a material that is transparentto light.
 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the elongatetubular member is fixed inside the channel.
 27. The apparatus accordingto claim 26, wherein the elongate tubular member is fixed inside thechannel by use of a light transparent adhesive.
 28. The apparatusaccording to claim 25, wherein the elongate tubular member is flexible.29. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the elongate tubularmember has a length that is greater than the length of the radiallyemitting fiber.
 30. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a gapexists between an outer surface of the radially emitting fiber and aninner wall of the channel, the gap being occupied by an index matchinggel that facilitates a coupling of light between the outer surface ofthe radially emitting fiber and the inner wall of the channel.
 31. Theapparatus according to claim 30, wherein the index matching gel allowsthe radially emitting fiber to more easily slide within the channel incomparison to the fiber's ability to slide in the channel absent theindex matching gel.
 32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein theradially emitting fiber comprises a core that is surrounded by acladding, the cladding having a first refractive index, the inner wallof the channel comprising a material having a second refractive index,the index matching gel having a third refractive index that is betweenthe first refractive index and the second refractive index.